WEST LANCASHIRE
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3 November 2021
Vol 28 l Issue 44
www.champnews.com
www.thecapitolcinema.co.uk
Pub plan gets the green light
Stalwarts are honoured for work in borough
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
Tornado hits town!
A TOTAL of 24 homes in Skelmersdale were damaged when a reported tornado struck the town just after 12pm last Friday. Emergency services confirmed that the streets affected by the freak weather burst were in Eskbank, Tanhouse and Grimshaw Road. Residents were told to not go near the area while work was carried out to make sure properties were safe. Following the incident some residents had to be evacuated from their homes. A statement by Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said: “At 12:09pm on October 29, three
Freak weather causes damage to properties
fire engines from Skelmersdale and Ormskirk attended a dangerous structure incident on Eskbank, Skelmersdale. One support pump from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service also attended. The incident involves approximately 24 domestic properties damaged due to inclement weather. “A further three fire engines
and an aerial ladder platform from Chorley, Preston and Fulwood were also in attendance. Firefighters worked with Lancashire Police and West Lancashire Borough Council to make the buildings safe and assist residents.” People were also advised to avoid the area. West Lancs Policing Team added: “West Lancashire isn't known for it's extreme weather, but just before midday today, a tornado (confirmed by residents) has travelled through the area causing a significant amount of damage to properties.
Continued inside
Some of the homes affected by the reported tornado
LIFELINE GROUP FACES CLOSURE THREAT A LIFELINE for older people in the borough is in danger of being wound up because it can’t find new members. Now, in a bid to survive, Skelmersdale U3A has sent out an urgent SOS warning that if it can’t find new members then the organisation will have to close. Skelmersdale U3A recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, but its future now looks uncertain. Continued on page 3
Council urged to make improvements to its pest control services MP Rosie Cooper has demanded West Lancashire Borough Council make urgent improvements to its pest control and maintenance services, after she was horrified to be told by a council tenant in Ormskirk that they had to live with a rat infestation for years. The resident contacted the West Lancashire MP to ask for her support after she claimed the council repeatedly failed to deal with the rats living in her attic. The council has since apologised and have confirmed the works required to stop the rodents accessing the property have finished. Ms Cooper MP said: “I am horrified that this has been allowed to happen! “No one should have to live with rats in their property, and the council have an obligation to their tenants to ensure problems like this are dealt with quickly and comprehensively. Continued on page 3
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