BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has entered the debate about the refurbishment of Prestwich's Longfield Precinct.

Mr Lewis has written to Bury Council with his comments as part of the consultation exercise being carried out by the council on the £1.8 million plan put forward by the precinct owners.

"As a lifelong Prestwich resident, as well as the local MP, I have no doubt that it is essential for the future of Prestwich that the precinct refurbishment takes place," Mr Lewis said. "But any scheme must give us hope for ten years not ten weeks."

As with most people Mr Lewis has reservations about the relocation of the Prestwich Library.

He said: "Retaining its ground-floor location is my strongly preferred option, but if this proves impossible appropriate access must be created especially for elderly and disabled people. The lift envisaged in the current proposal is totally inadequate."

Other points the MP makes include: the provision of a replacement open space if the green is built over; his total opposition to car park charges; and the provision of the one-stop Police Shop that he supported before being elected as MP.

"The location of a Crime Stop Shop should be actively encouraged," adds Mr Lewis, and assuming the refurbishment scheme proceeds the council and Bourne End should involve the Prestwich Regeneration Partnership in considering some of the detail, especially improvement to the environment in and near to the precinct."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.