http://www.buckshawvillage.com/ en Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:56:24 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.buckshawvillage.com/images/misc/rss.png http://www.buckshawvillage.com/ http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2884-Company’s-springboard-fo-success&goto=newpost Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:50:01 GMT MORE than 100 new jobs are to be created after a major Olympic supplier firm announced a move to a Chorley industrial estate. Production... MORE than 100 new jobs are to be created after a major Olympic supplier firm announced a move to a Chorley industrial estate.

Production Glassfibre will be manufacturing the moulds required to make specialist diving boards for the London 2012 Olympics at state-of-the-art premises at Buckshaw Village.

The move is expected to create more than 100 new jobs and the company has already promised the jobs will be ring-fenced for local people.

Coun Peter Goldsworthy, leader of Chorley Council, said: “It really is fabulous news that Production Glassfibre is to create its headquarters here and will be looking to recruit locally as the business develops.

“This is the latest prestigious company to move into Buckshaw Village and follows in the footsteps of Kimberly Clark which announced its move to the area over the summer creating 140 new jobs.”

Production Glassfibre is the UK’s largest moulder of Glass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) and its products are used in industries such as health care, defence, construction and architecture, water and sewage, house building and 
motorsport – as well as 
Olympic diving boards.

Group managing 
director Steve Grossi said: “We are pleased to be 
coming to Chorley, it is the next major step in our 
development.

“It is an opportunity to 
create state-of-the art facilities using the very latest manufacturing techniques with the local skills to have the site operate as our headquarters and the base for all research and development and technical development.

“We will be bringing existing staff and recruiting 15 new staff initially, however, this is likely to increase to 110 as research and development is brought to Chorley.”

The company has proved a huge success story since starting as a small operation run from a church building with just five employees.

It then went on to supply major industries in Scotland.

Over the past six years it has acquired three other businesses in Blackburn, Bedford and Skelmersdale which has seen it expand its product and client portfolio.

Now the company employs 250 people and has a European wide reputation for its products.

“It will occupy four units at Buckshaw Link to complete the manufacture of the diving boards for the 2012 Olympics – a project it has been working on for the last 12 months.

Coun Goldsworthy added: “Buckshaw Village is the ideal location for new business with its fantastic new premises and excellent transport links and we will do our utmost to help and support any new business to the area.”

Lancashire Evening Post
4th September 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2884-Company’s-springboard-fo-success http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2880-Astley-amp-Buckshaw-Summer-Soccer-School-Success&goto=newpost Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:48:07 GMT While the weather of the summer holidays during August 2010 may not be remembered for being the sunniest or warmest on record – the smiling faces,... While the weather of the summer holidays during August 2010 may not be remembered for being the sunniest or warmest on record – the smiling faces, sounds of laughter and cheers from young people taking part in holiday activities all contributed to breaking the programmes attendance record.

The 2010 three week long programme proved to be so popular extra places were provided by organisers, so not to disappoint young people who came in their droves to take part.

A major contribution to the success of the scheme is the fact young coaches from FA Charter Standard Club Astley & Buckshaw Juniors FC deliver an inclusive, action packed programme of coaching skills and mini games sessions.

The programme is organised by Astley & Buckshaw Juniors FC club welfare officer and local councillor Mark Perks and has been running since 2003 in conjunction with Astley Village Action.

Cllr Mark Perks commented, "Over the years we have used a number of venues such as Chorley Rugby Club, Parklands High School this year we moved back to our roots in Astley Village, the combination of using the local community centre and the sport pitch on Westway has been easy to manage, providing a good base for lunch and toilet breaks and an excellent grass pitch for the activities.

I have been amazed just how many young people attended and how quickly the scheme booked up but what has provided the most satisfaction were the number of parents who only booked one week ringing up to book their child for further weeks.

This has given our young coaches and volunteers a massive boost in confidence and makes running the session all the more gratifying. We also managed to take part in the Astley Village Fun Day organised by residents and Places For People."

As in previous years, the programme also allows a number of volunteers from the local community the opportunity to gain experience working alongside the coaches in delivering activities for young people. This year Jasmine (a previous attendee), Jamie and Zack joined the programme, they all wish to progress into sports coaching themselves and a big thank you to them for making the three weeks such a success.

Chorley People
August 23rd 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2880-Astley-amp-Buckshaw-Summer-Soccer-School-Success http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2879-Chorley-play-areas-set-for-major-investment&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:57:36 GMT A NUMBER of new play areas are to be created and existing ones improved across the borough following a £300,000 investment from Chorley Council. ... A NUMBER of new play areas are to be created and existing ones improved across the borough following a £300,000 investment from Chorley Council.

The projects include £30,000 for a new skate park in Euxton, £51,000 for new equipment and surfacing at the South Road play area, in Bretherton, £37,000 for a refurbishment of Mawdesley village play area and £21,000 for the creation of a wetland memorial garden at Chorley Cemetery.

Members of the council’s executive cabinet are set to approve the schemes at their meeting on Thursday (September 2).

If approved the money will be funded through the council’s play and recreation fund, which is made up of ‘section 106’ contributions.

Councillor Peter Malpas, who oversees planning on the executive cabinet, explained: “When developers come along and build extra housing they may have to make financial contributions to meet any needs arising from the new development.

“This could be for highway improvements, open space or community facilities, depending on what they’re building and how it affects the immediate area.

“The agreement made for this is called a section 106 agreement.

“The play and recreation fund takes some of that money and makes sure it goes towards play facilities and areas in the borough.”

Parish and town councils and community groups were invited to bid for money through the fund in December last year.

A total of 20 applications were made, totalling more than £400,000.

Councillor Malpas said: “There are going to be a lot of improvements to individual play areas across the borough if these recommendations are agreed, and that’s great news.”

Chorley Citizen
1st September 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2879-Chorley-play-areas-set-for-major-investment http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2875-Cash-boost-for-Chorley-junior-football-side&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:58:06 GMT A JUNIOR football side has received a boost to provide more teams in the local community. Astley and Buckshaw Juniors Football Club have been... A JUNIOR football side has received a boost to provide more teams in the local community.

Astley and Buckshaw Juniors Football Club have been awarded a £5,000 grant to develop the club.

The Football Foundation have given the cash out to allow the club to increase the number of teams it runs and allow more young people to get involved.

Mark Perks, club welfare officer, said: “Everyone at the club is delighted that the Football Foundation has awarded us this grant to develop our junior club with the aim to increase the number of teams and coaches we provided within the local community.

“As an FA Charter Standard club we pride ourselves on being one of the few local juniors clubs in Chorley with this standard.

“If anyone locally is looking to become a football coach with the aim of running a team them we would be delighted to hear from you.”

The club, who play on pitches at Derian House, Westway and Parklands, currently runs seven teams ranging from under nines to the youth team.

Funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government via Sport England, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity.

Launched in July 2000, the Foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary this summer and has so far supported around 8,000 community sports projects worth more than £925m.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This funding is excellent news. Astley and Buckshaw Juniors FC and the Lancashire County FA deserve credit their hard work in making this happen.”

THIS IS Lancashire
30th August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2875-Cash-boost-for-Chorley-junior-football-side http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2874-Firms-are-choosing-chorley&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:47:36 GMT HUNDREDS of new jobs being created in Chorley are being snapped up by local people as new businesses turn to Chorley Council for help in recruiting... HUNDREDS of new jobs being created in Chorley are being snapped up by local people as new businesses turn to Chorley Council for help in recruiting the best people for the jobs.

The Council is encouraging new firms to sign up to an Employment Charter which means they will be offered a tailor-made package of support to meet their employment needs.

Hundreds of local people are set to benefit and the signs are looking good with employment figures in Chorley falling again this month.

Councillor Peter Malpas, who oversees economic development for Chorley Council, said: “The Employment Charter means that businesses and Chorley Council are working together to provide new investment and create job opportunities for local people. And it’s definitely working because our jobless figures have fallen yet again this month, they’re down to 2.3 per cent compared with 3.3 per cent last year.

“In recent weeks we have had a number of prestigious firms sign up to the Charter including Tesco, Kimberly Clark, Marstons brewery and Production Glassfibre. Between them these companies are creating well over 400 new jobs in the area over the coming months.

“We have seen recently more than 1,000 people applying for the 144 jobs at the new Tesco store being built in Buckshaw Village. We were able to help with their recruitment campaign and help make sure they get the right people for the jobs available.

“We will be offering similar support to Kimberly Clark which is creating 140 jobs at its new premises in Buckshaw Village, Marstons public house and restaurant which is creating up to 50 jobs at Ackhurst and Production Glassfibre which could create 110 new jobs once it moves into Buckshaw Village.

“This is what the Charter is all about, we will do everything we can to help businesses recruit the right people and to help local people find the right jobs. We are blessed with good schools in this area and we have a skilled and loyal workforce so employers can only benefit.”

The Choose Chorley - Employment Charter has been put together by a partnership including Chorley Council, Jobcentre Plus, CXL, Runshaw Business Centre, the Skills Funding Agency (formerly the Learning and Skills Council), In Training and Lancashire County Council.

The partnership pledges to create a package of support to meet employers’ needs including:

Matching vacancies to the most suitable candidates
Providing interview facilities with administrative back up to help run an efficient and effective recruitment campaign
Helping and advising on training, rates of pay, equal opportunities and employing people with disabilities
Recruitment and training of apprentices
Training individuals to reach required job standards
Providing key data on labour availability, costs and skill levels
Allowing candidates to be employed for trial periods

By signing up to the Employment Charter businesses are making a commitment to Chorley.

The borough can offer fantastic opportunities to businesses with its skilled and loyal workforce as well as excellent transport links.

For more information about business opportunities in Chorley and to sign up to the Charter contact Chorley Council on 01257 515151.

Chorley People
31st August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2874-Firms-are-choosing-chorley http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2855-Sunday-bus-service-saved-from-the-axe&goto=newpost Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:27:06 GMT An under-threat bus service has been rescued from the axe. The Sunday 109 bus between Chorley, South Ribble and Preston will continue after... An under-threat bus service has been rescued from the axe.

The Sunday 109 bus between Chorley, South Ribble and Preston will continue after bosses at Lancashire County Council agreed to fund it.

Stagecoach and JS Fishwicks and Sons had announced plans to withdraw all Sunday daytime journeys on the 109 from September 5, and withdraw the Monday to Saturday journeys at 6.30pm from Chorley to Preston and 7.35pm from Preston to Chorley.

County Coun Mark Perks, who represents Chorley North, said he was “delighted” to see the service continue.

It also serves Euxton, Leyland, Lostock Hall and Walton Park.

He said: “Electronic ticket machine data from Stagecoach and Fishwicks, and on-board surveys have indicated around 14,000 annual passenger journeys made on the Sunday daytime service with annual revenue of approximately £20,000.

“However the proposal to withdraw the whole Sunday daytime service and early evening Monday to Saturday journey would leave a number of areas with significantly reduced or no Sunday bus service provision.”

Lancashire Evening Post
25th August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2855-Sunday-bus-service-saved-from-the-axe http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2849-Police-move-over-£7-an-hour-fees&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:02:30 GMT Centre has a police base – but force moves on

A CHORLEY PACT group has been forced to move its meetings after the owners of a new community centre took the unusual step of charging them for hiring a room.

Chorley Police have had to re-locate their Buckshaw Village PACT meetings after they were handed a bill for using the new facility there, which has only been officially open a matter of weeks.

Normally the meetings, where members of the community can meet with police officers to raise issues in their area, are given a special dispensation and are immune from charges that may be imposed on other groups.

But RMG, which runs the community centre, has invoiced the cash-strapped constabulary, forcing them to move back to Buckshaw retirement Village where they get the room for free.

Paul Thomas, chairman of the Buckshaw PACT meetings said: “I am disappointed that PACT meetings will no longer be held at the community centre.

“However, the Police are being asked to make savings and I fully support them.

“I understand they do not pay for meetings rooms for other PACT meetings within Chorley so should not be expected to pay at Buckshaw Village.

“Before the community centre was built, the PACT meeting was held at the Buckshaw Retirement Village and it has been agreed that we can move back there.”

The costs have also sparked fears over the future of a police room which has been incorporated within the facility.

Coun Mark Perks, who represents the area, said: “I am disappointed that RMG want to charge the Police for hiring the room as they are offering a service that benefits the whole community.

“They have been left with no alternative, but to move back to the retirement village, where the staff and management have been brilliant and offered the room for free.

“I understand that talks are still on-going about the Police room and the costs associated with that.”

Residents living on Buckshaw Village claim the problem with charges at the community centre, which was funded through money paid by developers, has risen because the building has not been adopted by Chorley Council.

Instead, a £150 management fee that they have to pay annually is used to underpin costs.

A spokesman for RMG said: “It was explained very early on at a public consultation and residents’ association meeting that as the centre is not local-authority funded there would be a small charge of £7 per hour for certain groups including the Police to use it.

“A Police representative also attended these meetings and was fully aware of the situation.

“We sympathise with the Police and understand that in other areas where community centres are funded by the local authority or parish council they do not have to pay to use their facilities, but unfortunately the community centre at Buckshaw Village is privately run and has to recoup its costs.”

Lancashire Evening Post
24th August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2849-Police-move-over-£7-an-hour-fees http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2841-Coaching-scheme-is-a-success&goto=newpost Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:29:03 GMT A LOCAL councillor has hailed a new summer activity scheme a success. Local football team Astley and Buckshaw Juniors FC spearheaded the Summer... A LOCAL councillor has hailed a new summer activity scheme a success.

Local football team Astley and Buckshaw Juniors FC spearheaded the Summer Holiday Programme training youngsters as coaches during the school holidays.

Ward councillor and the club’s welfare officer Mark Perks, said: “I have been amazed just how quickly the weeks were booked up but what has been provided the most satisfaction has been the number of parents who only booked one week ringing up to book their child for further weeks.”

The programme which has been running since 2003 in conjunction with Astley Village Action recently changed its venue from Chorley Rugby Club, at Parklands High School, Chorley, back to the scheme’s roots at the community centre in Astley Village.

Chorley Citizen
23rd August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2841-Coaching-scheme-is-a-success http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2830-Work-to-start-soon-on-new-Buckshaw-Parkway-Station&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:30:49 GMT WORK is set to start within the next few weeks on a long-awaited multi-million pound railway station for Chorley’s newest village. Contractors... WORK is set to start within the next few weeks on a long-awaited multi-million pound railway station for Chorley’s newest village.

Contractors are due on site in September and the new station to serve Buckshaw Village is expected to be up and running by autumn 2011 after planning permission was granted by Chorley Council this week.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Chorley Council leader, said: “We are delighted that work will start on the new station so soon, the residents of Buckshaw Village have been waiting a long time.

“It will be completed next year and with its park and ride facility will prove to be a huge asset for the Village, and for the people of Chorley who choose to use it, helping to create a truly sustainable community.”

The station is a joint venture between Chorley Council, Lancashire County Council, Network Rail and rail operators Northern.

It had always been an important part of the vision for Buckshaw Village which has been built on the site of the 395-acre former Royal Ordnance factory at Euxton.

County Councillor Tim Ashton, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, added: "I am delighted for the people of Buckshaw Village that they will soon have a new, state-of-the-art railway station.

"Buckshaw Village is a vibrant, thriving community which I have no doubt will benefit enormously once the railway station is up and running."

Work started in 2002 to create the sustainable village of more than 2,000 homes, with employment areas, open spaces, a district shopping centre, a primary school, outdoor sports activities, footpaths and cycleways.

A planning application by Network Rail for a station was approved in 2008 but it was a revised plan submitted earlier this year which got the go ahead last week.

The two platform station, on the same Manchester to Preston line as Chorley station, is expected to accommodate 450,000 passengers a year and will be operated by Northern Rail.

There will be park and ride facilities on the northern side of the station offering free parking for 204 cars including 10 spaces for disabled parking, and there will be a pedestrian access bridge linking the two platforms.

Chorley People
20th August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2830-Work-to-start-soon-on-new-Buckshaw-Parkway-Station http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2825-New-comedy-club-is-no-joke&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:24:58 GMT The idea of a Comedy Club in Buckshaw Village is no longer a laughing matter. Buckshaw Village Community Centre will soon be hosting a monthly... The idea of a Comedy Club in Buckshaw Village is no longer a laughing matter.

Buckshaw Village Community Centre will soon be hosting a monthly Comedy Club with a big launch night on November 13th.

Five rising stars of the comedy scene will be there to make the night a roaring success and the audience are sure to be sent home with a smile on their face.

Organiser Bryan Malcolm has a background in putting on bands and comedy nights and he is set to use his expertise to make sure the launch is a success. Two of the headline acts are Andy Watson and Jonathan Elston.

Bryan said: “Andy won the City Life Comedian of the Year in 2005. Former winners include Peter Kay, Jason Manford and John Bishop who are now household names.”

Elston is another rising star of the circuit and is coming all the way from Coventry for the event.

Buckshaw Village appears an unusual choice for the Comedy Club however Bryan believes it’s a good location.

“The Community Centre is a fantastic little venue and I am sick of going to Manchester and Liverpool for comedy”, he added.

“The focus should now be on Buckshaw as it is new and exciting for the area.”

Cost of entry will be £5 and is open to over 18s only.

For details email bryanmalcolm625@hotmail.com

Chorley Guardian
18th August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2825-New-comedy-club-is-no-joke http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2814-Buckshaw-youths-to-get-Friday-footy-sessions&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:24:00 GMT Buckshaw Youth Association have launched Friday evening drop in sessions aimed at providing activities for 11 to 17 year-olds. The youth... Buckshaw Youth Association have launched Friday evening drop in sessions aimed at providing activities for 11 to 17 year-olds.

The youth association operates from Buckshaw Village Community Centre and is open every Friday evening from 8pm to 10 pm.

Football sessions will commence on Friday, September 3rd between 8pm and 9pm, run by coaches from Astley and Buckshaw Juniors FC.

Chorley Citizen
17th August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2814-Buckshaw-youths-to-get-Friday-footy-sessions http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2813-Thieves-in-£78K-Chorley-copper-theft&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:18:21 GMT Thieves escaped with copper wire and CCTV cameras worth more than £78,000 after a raid on a huge industrial unit near Chorley. The raid took... Thieves escaped with copper wire and CCTV cameras worth more than £78,000 after a raid on a huge industrial unit near Chorley.

The raid took place overnight on Saturday, (August 14) at the former Wolseley distribution centre in Buckshaw Village.

It was police said was a “highly organised raid”, intruders broke though a 10ft steel wire perimeter fence before scaling 20ft poles to dismantle and steal seven ‘dome’ style CCTV cameras.

Once inside the 360,000 sq ft building around 200 metres of multicore armoured copper was taken, valued at around £70,000.

Sgt Sonia Spencer, from Chorley’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “Considerable damage was done to the building and we suspect the thieves would have needed vans or a truck to get away with the material.”

A forensic team was working on the scene on Monday.

Last month it was announced that global company Kimberly-Clark will move into the unit in early 2011 after purchasing the site in a deal believed to be in the region of £24M.

The unit was originally purpose built for Wolseley UK which made a decision that it was surplus to requirements in early 2009.

Chorley Citizen
17th August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2813-Thieves-in-£78K-Chorley-copper-theft http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2810-Buckshaw-Youth-Association-Launches-Friday-Evening-Youth-Sessions&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:48:23 GMT A local community has seen the successful launch of its Friday evening drop in sessions aimed at providing positive activities for young people aged... A local community has seen the successful launch of its Friday evening drop in sessions aimed at providing positive activities for young people aged 11 to 17 from the village and surrounding area.

The youth association operates from Buckshaw Village Community Centre and is open every Friday evening from 8pm to 10pm.

Buckshaw Youth Association which was set up last October is run by community volunteers and trustees Paul Thomas, Phil Harrison, Alan Cain and local councillor Mark Perks.

Over the winter and spring months it ran Friday evening football sessions at the astro pitch facilities between 8pm and 9pm again with aim of providing positive activities and a safe and secure place.

These are to re commence on Friday 3rd September between 8pm and 9pm and will be run by coaches provided by Astley & Buckshaw Juniors FC.

Cllr Mark Perks who is the Chairman of the group said, "The Friday evening football sessions were really well received by the young people and many expressed a wish to also have something in the village during the summer.

The trustees felt Friday evening was a good night and with the community centre opening this provided an opportunity to have safe and secure venue for us to do this. The sessions have been extremely popular as we can offer activities such as badminton, table tennis, computer games, basketball and run a tuck shop.

However, we also intend to re start the Friday football 5 a side session in September to provide a real good choice for the young people."



]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2810-Buckshaw-Youth-Association-Launches-Friday-Evening-Youth-Sessions http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2800-1-200-apply-for-140-Tesco-jobs-in-Buckshaw-Village&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:55:00 GMT More than 1,200 people have a applied for just 140 jobs at a new Tesco store near Chorley. Bosses at the under construction Buckshaw Village... More than 1,200 people have a applied for just 140 jobs at a new Tesco store near Chorley.

Bosses at the under construction Buckshaw Village superstore say they have been inundated with interest from jobseekers eager to become general assistants.

Interviews have already began for the £6.47 an hours roles, which are mainly part-time but include some full-time posts.

Mark Lindley, manager of the store, said: “I think the high volume of candidates is a sign of the times but it means we will get the pick of the crop with some excellent candidates with impressive work backgrounds.

“Several applicants have been made redundant from previous jobs and we’ve had people across the age spectrum from 16-year-olds to those in their 60s.”

Tesco expects to interview around 500 people.

The 25,000 sq ft store is set to open in October and includes a petrol station due to open a week before the supermarket.

It will be around half the size of the nearby Tesco Extra in Chorley but ten times bigger than Tesco Express stores.

The superstore is the anchor development in the village centre which will also include a Costa Coffee outlet.

Mr Lindley said that he had been impressed with the flexibility of applicants.

“Many people want to work Monday to Friday but I’m encouraged how many are willing to work weekends and nights,” he added.

Chorley Citizen
12th August 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2800-1-200-apply-for-140-Tesco-jobs-in-Buckshaw-Village http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2794-Buckshaw-Village-train-station-plans-scaled-down&goto=newpost Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:34:43 GMT PLANS for a long-awaited railway station in a rapidly expanding Lancashire village have been scaled down with more than a third of park-and-ride... PLANS for a long-awaited railway station in a rapidly expanding Lancashire village have been scaled down with more than a third of park-and-ride spaces cut.

Revised proposals for the long-awaited Buckshaw Parkway, which will serve Buckshaw Village, near Chorley, are set to go before planners August 17.

The station would stand on the Manchester to Blackpool line, with passengers able to get to Blackburn, Burnley and beyond via Preston and Bolton.

However concerns have been raised about changes made by Network Rail from the original plans.

It was originally intended for the station to have 338 parking spaces on two car parks but Network Rail now said land earmarked for one of the parking areas was no longer available, cutting that figure to 204.

The height of the station will be reduced to single storey, platform canopies will be removed and replaced with two waiting shelters and the 20m station footbridge will have a simpler straight design rather than curved.

Coun Mark Perks, who represents the area on the county council, said: "Buckshaw Village deserves the best and most accessible public transport and I hope planners will look carefully at these proposals."

Tony Phillips, 37, has lived in the village for two years and at the moment commutes by car to his civil service job in Preston.

He said: “The village is crying out for a railway link and park-and ride facilities are the key to people like me using the service.

“To lose more than a third of the car spaces planned sounds like it will mean a scramble to park there and could put people off.”

In the planning document, which will go before councillors next week, Network Rail defends the changes.

The firm said: “The changes are a more economical and effective layout while still providing a modern, functional and accessible station.”

Original plans for Buckshaw station were to have it ready for 2004, but after a series of delays the opening was pushed back until 2008 and then summer 2011.

After a shortfall in funding an additional £3.3m from the Community Investment Fund was secured to build the station last year.

Lancashire Telegraph
9th AQugust 2010 ]]> Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2794-Buckshaw-Village-train-station-plans-scaled-down