MORE than 300 people have signed a petition backing Bolton Council's plans to build a new access road to the Lyon Industrial Estate in Kearsley.

As revealed in the BEN earlier this month, the council plan an £11m injection from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget - topped up by an expected £60m from the private sector - to build a new industrial estate on the former tip at Singing Clough.

In addition, they have announced that they will be creating a new access road which will pull the heavy industrial traffic away from the Springfield and Pilkington Roads.

The people who live along those two roads - who will see an end to 24 hour heavy traffic - and bosses on the Lyon Estate have given the scheme their whole-hearted support.

Edith Wadley, who has lived in Springfield Road for more than 20 years, initiated the petition after reading reports in the BEN that some people were opposed to the plan.

Mrs Wadley said: "The access road would bring relief to both roads of the HGVs which pass our homes at all hours of the night and day and would also benefit the emergency services.

"It would also make it safer for the children who walk to George Tomlinson School every day."

Over the past few weeks Mrs Wadley says she has received numerous telephone calls of support.

"The people of the area have given their whole-hearted backing to this development," she said.

She added: "So come on Bolton Council get cracking and make Kearsley a healthier and safer place for all its residents and take us forward into the next millennium with pride."

Bolton Council say the new industrial estate could create 300 new jobs.

A public meeting to discuss the plans is being held on Friday between 6pm and 8pm at St Stephen's School.

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