Tory pledge to make life better in Rossendale
8:32pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
CONSERVATIVES have vowed to take the borough forward after winning three seats in the local elections.
Council leader Tony Swain said his main focuses would be improv-ing Rawtenstall town cen-tre, the health hub, and getting on with plans for a new bus depot.
He said: "Now people can look forward to two years of continued improvem-ents. People are not totally happy in Rossendale and making improvements to areas like Rawtenstall town centre will be first on the list.
"We can take our eyes off everything else for the moment.
"I would like to say a big thank you to the people of Rossendale who have decided this group of councillors is the way forward."
Plans for a £45m development of Rawten-stall town centre have been dogged by delays.
Meanwhile, East Lancs PCT bosses are creating a new £10m health hub on the site of the former JF Tomlinson slipper factory, off Bacup Road, near to Ilex Mill.
It will incorporate many of the services which used to be offered at Rossendale General Hospital, and eventually house around 150 staff.
Under discussion for the site is an urgent care centre, similar to those at Burnley General and Royal Blackburn Hospitals.
A midwife-led birthing unit, where babies not requiring consultant care can be born, is also planned. Other services, including X-ray, hospice and palliative care, outpatient clinics, minor surgery, a GP practice and mental health facilities are also being discussed.