IT has been almost two years since I last shared my concerns about the redevelopment of the former Parkside Colliery.
Nothing has changed, except maybe a shiny new fence and gate with a new sign confirming the collaboration between St Helens Council and Langtree.
Recent press cuttings suggested a plan forthcoming with the promise of new jobs to replace those 2,000-plus lost when the pit closed in 1992.
Given the footprint hasn’t changed and scope seems just as big, it goes to prove the previously quoted 10,000-plus was grossly exaggerated.
However, let’s start on a positive note with the potential new jobs. We have a direct comparable across at the Omega site in Warrington where 4,000-plus jobs in logistics and manufacturing were promised. How many were created and specifically for local people? Answers on a postcard.
On a slightly less positive note regarding local roads, the number of HGVs has increased as a direct result of the Omega site.
How are Langtree going to improve that with a further increase?
Also, what studies are being undertaken to measure air quality and levels of traffic pollution in the area and how do they compare to those carried out in support of previous proposals?
Then the environmental impact of such a scheme, whether road or rail and road distribution, amounts to the same impact on our greenbelt footprint. The means do not justify the ends here – once it’s gone, it’s gone.
How do Langtree propose to deal with the environmental impact this development will have in terms of air, noise and light pollution and what little greenbelt we have left?
Sean Dunne, Newton-le-Willows
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