CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE 25TH APRIL 2020
I hope you and your families are safe and well.
The Barlow is still in the midst of the lockdown but there has been huge activity from a small army of volunteers looking after the needs and supporting a whole raft of people within our community with a vast array of services and help. If you need anything at all or know of anybody who needs support within our community please let me know and we will look to find whatever is required.
Most of our current ‘business as usual’ is on hold but there is still a small team of people working on the Woodland project and we are making progress on a funding bid for heating and window services. We are also hoping to carry out some painting and decorating improvements and a start has been made on cleaning and re-varnishing the floors.
Those of you who have passed the Barlow this week will have seen that road planings have been used as a base to improve the layout and safety of the Barlow car park. A new concrete base has also been laid at the entrance to again improve the safety of pedestrians and avoid damage to cars. Many thanks to all the Cricket Club members who freely gave up their time during the week to undertake this hard work and to minimise the cost. Social distancing was maintained at all times.
On Tuesday, whilst the work was taking place, an article was published in the Lancashire Telegraph regarding plans to place double yellow lines on Bolton Road. Surprisingly, neither the Barlow nor the Cricket Club had been informed. We are seeking clarification of plans from BwD Council.
This would inevitably result in a greater demand for parking spaces on the car park.
With this as a consideration, and the fact that the road planings would only improve the car park for 1-2 years, I am pleased to inform you that on Thursday, the Barlow Trustees and the ECRC Committee agreed to collaboratively fund the laying of a 50mm tarmac layer on top of the new base. Parking spaces will then be marked out, thereby optimising the capacity of the 1,350 sq metre area.
Thanks to a member of the cricket club who regularly utilises a tarmac company through his professional capacity, we will undertake the works at an excellent cost.
Speed has been of the essence due to the current availability of the tarmac contractor during these difficult times.
The area was surveyed Friday April 24 and work will commence on Monday to further prep the base with the tarmac being laid on Tuesday. They will then return later in the week to paint the lines, including provision for disabled parking spaces.
Many thanks to all of the fantastic volunteers who are giving their time in both supporting our community and undertaking these improvement works.
Mike Fay – Chairman
