Ian McCartney MP

Ian McCartney MP today launched a campaign petition ‘Ashton Forward – Action Not Words’ calling on the local community to support a new vision for Ashton Town Centre.

The Makerfield MP who lives in Ashton, has already obtained support, in principle for his vision of a rejuvenated town centre from Wigan Council, Ashton, Wigan & Leigh PCT, Greater Manchester Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Fire Service, Greater Manchester Police, and Wigan & Leigh College to engage in a comprehensive investment and regeneration strategy to provide modern public services in 21st century state of the art facilities.

The campaign received a major boost last month when Ian secured a commitment from Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the North West Development Agency to pledge up to £50,000 to fund a comprehensive feasibility study to identify options for the future development of the town centre hub. Ian hopes that this sum can be used to secure millions of pounds of public and private investment in the town centre.

Ian McCartney said, “We’ve got the ideas, we’ve got the vision. We’ve got the support of local residents. What we now need is to sit down with businesses large and small, community organisations and financial institutions to ensure over the next period we get action not words, so that we get a new, vibrant, sustainable Ashton Town Centre with jobs and services for all. A town centre to be proud of.”

Ian has now secured a key commitment from the local Primary Care Trust who have begun negotiations to provide a major health care boost for the town.

Ian added, “I am pleased to announce that during recent discussions with the Primary Care Trust who have confirmed they are in serious negotiations to develop an area in the town centre to provide 21st century health care facilities for the people of Ashton."

“This is a major step forward to implementing the vision that I outlined some time ago to local residents.”