Two weeks ago, the Guardian reported on the death of the Northwich Vision partnership, the body set up to revitalise and regenerate Northwich town centre.
Last week, councillors and council officials met with the Guardian to put forward their new vision for Northwich, Now, we are challenging Northwich’s councillors to come forward and tell the town’s voters what they have done to fight for Northwich and what their plans are for the future.
Dear Councillor, This is an open letter to all councillors that we elected to represent Northwich and its outlying villages on Cheshire West and Chester Council.
It is written on behalf of all the people of Northwich who want to make sure our town and the vision for its future are not forgotten.
More than a decade ago, we were promised a complete regeneration of the town.
Northwich was to make the most of its two rivers, with new bars and cafes to fill the waterfronts.
New streets filled with big-name shops were to be built by Baron’s Quay and stretch across the north of town.
A cultural centre was to be constructed on the riverside to give townsfolk space for community activities and performances as well as galleries and tourist information.
A new transport infrastructure was to be created to finally ease the well-known Northwich bottle-neck.
But the Northwich Vision partnership came to an end in April, when Vale Royal Borough Council and Cheshire County Council were replaced with Cheshire West and Chester Council.
We have been told that a new body will be set up to drive forward our regeneration and we have been promised that it will be set up within the next few months.
But this is not good enough.
If the original partnership ended in April, why are we still waiting for a new one seven months later?
Cheshire West and Chester Council has promised us a short-term investment of £250,000 to clean our streets, tackle fly-tipping and breathe life into our empty shops by using them to display art work.
But surely the council should be doing this anyway?
This letter is both a challenge and a plea to each and every one of our ward councillors.
To Kate Birtwisle, Simon McDonald and Helen Weltman, who represent the Northwich West ward.
To Terry Birtwisle, George Miller and Mark Stocks, who represent the Northwich East and Shakerley ward.
To Malcolm Byram, Keith Wilson and Norman Wright, who represent the Marbury ward. To Herbert Manley, Jan Mashlan and Keith Musgrave, who represent the Abbey ward.
To John Grimshaw, Andrew Needham and Barbara Roberts, who represent the Eddisbury ward. And to Alan McKie, Ralph Oultram and Lynn Riley, who represent the Weaver ward.
What have YOU done in the past seven months, and in the previous 12 months as shadow councillors, to keep Northwich and Northwich Vision at the top of the agenda?
What will YOU do to keep Northwich’s dreams alive?
We know that Cheshire West and Chester Council is a big council and covers a huge area. We know that it has a lot of priorities.
But we have elected YOU to look after our interests. Please help us to achieve Northwich Vision.
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