Learning centre move anger

Social services has applied for planning permission to move the centre, for adults with severe learning difficulties, from Seymour Road Theatre Church to a building at the lower end of Blackburn Road.

Currently the handicapped adults spend time in the Astley Bridge area but parents are fearful this would stop with the move. Even more worrying, they say, is that the move would be dangerous because the new building is on a main road.

One parent, whose mentally handicapped son attends the centre, said: "I found out about this through an advert in the newspaper and, off my own back, found out the centre might be moving. We weren't told first.

"I am concerned about the new place because it is on such a busy main road and is an accident waiting to happen.

"It might be the ideal centre but it isn't a good place for people with learning difficulties to be. Where they are now they can get out into the local community. The staff take them for a drink at the local cafes, take them to the park and they go to eat in Asda. There is nothing like that where this new building is."

Astley Bridge councillor Hilary Fairclough said: "Parents have not even been officially informed about the potential move, which really isn't fair. Once again, so much for consultation between the staff and people who actually use the centre.

"If it moves, the people who use the centre are going to miss out because they won't be able to visit local shops or anything; they would be too far away.

"The new property is being completely refurbished at the taxpayer's expense, even though they will only be renting the building and, given the financial pressures on social services, I am not to sure that this is an efficient use of resources."

Social services has now written to all parents and carers inviting them to a meeting on January 29. There are two times available to give everyone a chance to attend.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We are exploring the possibility of finding more suitable premises for this day service as current accommodation is not ideal. The proposal is at an early stage and no decisions have yet been made. At the meeting, parents, carers and service users will have an opportunity to hear the proposals in more detail and put forward any comments or concerns they might have."

Around 20 adults attend the centre five days a week and each person is picked up and dropped off by a social services bus.

The centre has been based on Seymour Road for nearly four years after Social Services decided to set up satellite centres around the community. They were formerly based in Halliwell.

A PROPOSED move of an adult learning centre has angered parents and carers who claim they were not informed of the plans.

Social services has applied for planning permission to move the centre, for adults with severe learning difficulties, from Seymour Road Theatre Church to a building at the lower end of Blackburn Road.

Currently the handicapped adults spend time in the Astley Bridge area but parents are fearful this would stop with the move. Even more worrying, they say, is that the move would be dangerous because the new building is on a main road.

One parent, whose mentally handicapped son attends the centre, said: "I found out about this through an advert in the newspaper and, off my own back, found out the centre might be moving. We weren't told first.

"I am concerned about the new place because it is on such a busy main road and is an accident waiting to happen.

Astley Bridge councillor Hilary Fairclough said: "Parents have not even been officially informed about the potential move, which really isn't fair. Once again, so much for consultation between the staff and people who actually use the centre.

"If it moves, the people who use the centre are going to miss out because they won't be able to visit local shops; they would be too far away."

Social services has now written to all parents and carers inviting them to a meeting on January 29. There are two times available to give everyone a chance to attend.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We are exploring the possibility of finding more suitable premises for this day service as current accommodation is not ideal. The proposal is at an early stage and no decisions have yet been made. At the meeting, parents, carers and service users will have an opportunity to hear the proposals in more detail and put forward any comments or concerns they might have."

Around 20 adults attend the centre five days a week and each person is picked up and dropped off by a social services bus.

The centre has been based on Seymour Road for nearly four years after Social Services decided to set up satellite centres around the community.