Readers' letters - May 15

Re: Work starts on bypass (LP May 1). I feel it can be said quite confidently that a Penwortham bypass was not the sole consideration given by LCC on the purpose of this new stretch of road. Will it work as a bypass? We will just have to wait and see.

It is pretty obvious that the new “bypass” is in fact the first step towards a bridge over the river, and the second step will be the proposed stretch of road from the M55 to Blackpool Road in the Lea Gate area.

The two roads would then be linked by a new Ribble bridge at a later date. How much later?

If the cost of the “Penwortham bypass” is £17m (plus extra over budget no doubt), the cost of the bridge over the river, plus the associated roads involved, will be phenomenal.

Considering the relevant authorities are having to make cuts and the predicted effect of Brexit on the national economy, the Ministry of Transport (which is presumably where the finance for the new bridge etc would come from) will not have the same amount of funds to draw on.

Given that it has been 50 years from conception to forecasted completion of the new “bypass”, what will be the time factor involved to the completion of construction of a bridge and roads to form the proposed Preston Southerly bypass?

Which is what the new bridge and the associated roads will be known as.

Meanwhile Penwortham Hill doesn’t have a bypass fit for purpose, the new junction on the A59 will form another obstruction and there will still be the same amount of traffic converging at that point, resulting in traffic queuing back as far as Hutton roundabout and up Longton bypass.

The situation around Hutton Grammar school, on the old A59, at school drop-off time will be quite interesting, to say the least.

The likely result of the completion of the new “Penwortham bypass” will be many more residents in Penwortham and Hutton inconvenienced, and the unfortunate motors still queuing just as ever (if not longer), albeit with a slightly different view to contemplate. Will the new road work as a “bypass” for Penwortham? We will just have to wait and see.

Huttonian

town centre

Turn pub into

a cultural hub

Re: Royal Oak/Oak House building. I agree with the comment made in the LP regarding plans for the Royal Oak building to be demolished for a car park (LP Letters, May 1). Chorley will soon be just one big car park, but with no nice shops or venues for people to spend time in.

The Royal Oak is an established building and surely, as Chorley is an historic town, we do not wish to lose this?

The building could be put to use as luxury flats and/or offices, yes, but there is another option.

I think the building could be used as artists’ studios in the top floor and exhibition space on the ground floor. Some units could be let out for independent traders, such as bespoke jewellery, craft or textiles.

The artists and traders would pay a weekly or monthly fee, and this would create investment and generate business. In many other areas, artists moving in generates a knock-on effect on the rest of the area, creating opportunities for other businesses.

This could be a cultural hub. It would be fitting to Sir Henry Tate’s legacy, as he donated money to the arts.

More car parking could be made by adding an extra tier on the car park near the Malt N Hops.

In nearby areas, such as Preston, people have a five minute walk from any of the main car parks to the town centre itself.

This promotes walking and maybe helps towards reducing obesity.

Hannah Smith

Chorley

health

Helping people with dementia

I want to invite your readers to unite for Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Action Week, which takes place from May 21 to 27.

There are 16,280 people living with dementia in Lancashire and too many face the condition alone without adequate support. During the week, we want people to take actions such as becoming a Dementia Friend, which allows people to learn more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turn that understanding into action. In Lancashire, there are already 62,293 Dementia Friends. Help us increase that number at dementiafriends.org.uk

There will also be events taking place around the theme of community change. Get your family, friends or work colleagues to sign up at alzheimers.org.uk/DementiaActionWeek

There are other ways to get involved, such as fundraising or taking part in research.

Share what you are planning on social media by using #DAW2018 on Twitter or like your local Alzheimer’s Society Facebook page at facebook.com/AlzheimersSocietyNorthWest

Deborah Parker

Operations Manager for Alzheimer’s Society Lancashire

culture

Missing out

on orchestras

There was an article covering Preston’s arts and cultural events for later this year (LP May 12).

Whilst much of this is welcomed, I couldn’t help but be saddened by the fact I’ve just found out that a truly world class orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, will not now be playing at the Guild Hall. When I first came to Preston in 1995, we had the Manchester Halle one month and the RLPO the next. From this year, there will be nothing.

Terry Quinn

Broadgate