Ormskirk residents worried at Edge Hill University plans

Feb 25 2010 by Gemma Jaleel, Ormskirk Advertiser

CONCERNED residents are worried that Ormskirk is at risk of losing its ‘market town’ identity following Edge Hill University’s plans to build a £25m community sports complex.

People living around the university believe it is having a detrimental impact on the town with traffic congestion and housing being taken up by students.

Residents feel like the town is being taken over by the expanding campus and the new sports complex is a step too far.

Roy Nanson who lives on Ruff Lane told the Advertiser: “There are over 23,000 students enrolled at the university and the numbers are rising.

“The growth in numbers has brought with it growth in car use. The limited public transport infrastructure means that many students have no alternative than to travel to Ormskirk by car.

“Edge Hill now has in excess of 1,500 vehicles coming to campus on a daily basis, and peaks at more than 2,000.

Roy added that traffic gridlock towards Bickerstaffe and through Ormskirk is constant.

“Temporary car parks have been permitted on campus but they are hundreds of spaces short of the demand and overflow parking on roads has now necessitated double yellow lines to be painted.”

Stuart Ibbs who lives on St Helens Road added: “There is strong anecdotal evidence to suggest this is having an adverse effect on the commerce of the town and on residents who need to travel at peak times.

“Edge Hill believes a proposed new entrance and junction on St Helens Road to be the solution to these problems but traffic volume is not manageable at current levels.”