Anger over bus changes
WEST Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has hit out at Arriva following their decision to reroute the 375 bus service away from Grimshaw Lane in Ormskirk.
Many residents have contacted MP Rosie in concern over the changes with the current route serving the Grimshaw Lane area well, including the residents of Whittle Drive and Scott Estate.
Arriva consulted on the proposed changes with three local county councillors but failed to communicate with the MP, local borough councillors and residents.
Rosie Cooper MP has called on Arriva to carry out further consultation.
She said: “Residents in the area are concerned at the extra walking distance to their nearest service, particularly many elderly passengers who take the 375 to Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals.
“Upon raising this issue with Arriva, I found their consultation process involved one email to three county councillors – none of whom live in the area affected!
“Arriva need to rethink the changes and consult with the passengers and local residents first before going ahead with any final decisions.”
AN Aldi superstore could soon be built in Tarleton as the developer targets an eyesore site. The discount chain revealed this week that it is considering plans to build a new store on the site of the former Bay Leaf restaurant on Liverpool Road.
The restaurant has sat empty for several years, with the 17th century farmhouse building becoming ever more derelict and damaged since then.
Planning permission was granted in 2016 to transform the site into state-ofthe-art offices for Hesketh Bank-based logistics firm GBA Services, but the firm has put those plans on hold as a result of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
Now Aldi has revealed it is considering putting in a new application for the site to open its latest superstore and plans to hold a public consultation at Tarleton Cricket Club on June 26.
The supermarket giant has carried out a huge expansion in recent years, including opening a new site at Ringtail Retail Park in Burscough, expanding its first Southport store at Meols Cop; and beginning work on a second store in the town at Birkdale Trading Estate.
Details have been sent to Tarleton residents, with Aldi promising the proposed store would bring “enhanced benefits to the whole community”.
The plans could see 30-50 jobs created, with the store likely to open Monday-Saturday 8am-10pm and Sunday 10am-6pm.
The consultation states: “Aldi is keen to transform this under-utilised site by introducing a high-quality development to the area. The new food store would provide a modern shopping environment, featuring a bespoke red brick design with timber cladding.
“The proposed building wuld be principally single storey in height and has been carefully designed to fit within the site’s existing surroundings.”