West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has called a summit of key public agencies to discuss the future for Skelmersdale and the ambitions for the development of the town.

All key local and regional agencies have been invited to attend – Homes and Communities Agency, Government Office North West, North West Development Agency, Lancashire County Council and West Lancashire Borough Council.

The summit is the next stage in the MP’s campaign to produce an action plan that will deliver a better future for Skelmersdale.  Already, Rosie has held discussions about the town with a number of Government Ministers, including Hazel Blears, John Healey and Phil Woolas and most recently Home Secretary Alan Johnson, all of whom have visited Skelmersdale, and met with local businesses and community groups.

Rosie said: “When Hazel Blears visited Skelmersdale there were women pushing prams along the road rather than use the underpasses.  The design of the town needs to be more people-friendly and safer for pedestrians than the current design.

“Every key agency with a stake in Skelmersdale has been invited so that we can begin finding long-term solutions for the redevelopment of Skelmersdale.  It is only by working together we can produce a way forward and deliver a plan that makes a difference for the people of Skelmersdale.

“The new Skelmersdale College can be the lynchpin of regeneration in the town.  It is important that we are as ambitious for the residents and the town’s estates, which have suffered from years of under investment, as we are for the town centre.

Currently the council has put the plans for the town centre on hold whilst we await a decision over the future of the Everton/Kirkby proposals. I am determined that discussion and debate about the future of Skelmersdale is delayed no longer. We must begin to identify priorities that can be delivered quickly and effectively to improve the quality of life for local people.”