GOLBORNE traders have drawn-up a scheme to revive the golden days.

Over 70 have joined Golborne Business Partnership set-up primarily to promote regeneration after what they say are years of decline and neglect.

Partnership chairman Peter Franzen told The Journal: "Apathy and complacency have prevailed in this once-thriving mining town.

"The area has suffered increased incidents of vandalism, crime, drug and alcohol abuse plus disturbances and anti-social behaviour from a minority of youths.

"We are concerned we are in Year 5 of Coalfield Challenge, which was set-up to regenerate, and the results here are a bit of a disappointment."

As banks, building societies, shops and businesses shut Partnership members have compiled a recipe for revival.

Mr Franzen went on: "We believe the time has come to halt this decline by effective inward investment in to all areas of the community.

"This extends beyond the obvious public and private financial investment to improved, better focused allocations of local government resources."

The Partnership's "G" Plan wants tighter law and order with curfews, cautions and prosecutions for vandals and criminals.

Drug dealers should be targeted, a clamp-down made on supplying booze to under-age drinkers, and alcohol consumption banned in public places.

They want to instil civic pride, would like to see the Thursday market relocated on the exciting new town square project and want a Saturday flea market.

Traffic would flow better through a user-friendly, one-way system in High Street and Charles Street, while parking on one side of Charles Street would benefit shoppers and traders.

Traffic calming measures, tidy-ups and better leisure facilities for the young are also on the agenda.

And the traders positively welcome ideas to re-open Golborne railway station.

Now they intend seeking help from the Council, Coalfield Challenge, Wigan Borough Partnership, Police and local politicians to achieve those aims. Golborne Councillor David Kelly was more than a little surprised by the trader's outburst.

Cllr Kelly said: "I am disappointed in a way with Peter Franzen's comments.

"All these points he raises have been looked at over the last few months.

"He has been encouraged by local elected members of the Council.

"To say there is complacency is wrong. We set-up CCTV to help control crime. And four or five weeks ago we arranged for Peter, Cllr Brian Strett and myself to meet with Police.

"The Police have made a concentrated effort to address problems and it is working."

Cllr Kelly said Golborne had probably one of the cleanest town centres in the district with streets tidied seven days a week.

He said for the last two years there had been a campaign to re-open the railway station and the one-way system idea was more complicated than it seemed.

"It would ease traffic in part of Heath Street but would cause congestion elsewhere and send heavy lorries through residential areas.

"Peter only sees what has happened since he arrived. But a lot of improvements were made earlier. Golborne is a lot better place than it was five years ago.

"To stand and say we are suddenly in the middle of a crisis is wrong."

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