Blackrod First Community Group

Blackrod First Community Group Blackrod First is a Community Group who’s aim is to get Blackrod Council and Bolton Council to start listening to the opinions of the Blackrod community.

During the election period, all promotional material and posts are promoted by Horwich and Blackrod first independents on behalf of Andrea Finney & Peter wright of 31 Hazel Pear Close, Horwich, BL6 5GS We don’t believe that main stream politics at this local level serves the best interests of our community. Far too often you see voting along party lines rather than what’s in the best interests of

our community. President Harry S Truman once said ‘Decisions are made by those that show up’. If you don’t like the decisions being made lets do something about it. Blackrod First are from all political persuasions with a single aim:

‘To support our community and seek a fairer deal from Bolton Council.’

Blackrod First Community Group page is administered by # # # # # # and # # # # # #. All and any Blackrod First comments on this page are attributed to either one of us. Terms of use:

Racist, sexist, homophobic or other abusive/offensive content or “trolling” is not permitted. Content deemed to fall into these categories may be deleted and the users posting it may be removed from the group. Contributors agree to use the comments and posts option to send messages and materials that are proper and related to the particular post. We retain the right to remove any comment we determine to be, at our sole discretion, unacceptable[1]. These include personal attacks, unsubstantiated accusations against either individuals or companies, profanity, cyber-bullying, discriminations and propagating violence of any sort as well as comments that are for any other reasons objectionable. For the purposes of transparency anyone who contributes to this page must be who they say they are. If we believe someone has a fake Facebook account we reserve the right to remove them from the group. This Community Site does not claim ownership of any comments submitted.

07/05/2026

Today’s the day!

After weeks of campaigning, election day is here and the decision is yours.

This is a LOCAL election. It’s about what happens right here in our community. Local councillors can’t control national issues but they can:

✔️ Work for cleaner, safer streets
✔️ Make sure your money is spent responsibly
✔️ Challenge poor planning decisions
✔️ Support local businesses and protect our high streets
✔️ Improve waste collection and local services
✔️ Speak up for you, not a party line

HBFI has a proven track record of standing up for Horwich and Blackrod and delivering real results. Since 2019, we’ve secured over £6.4 million in funding for our area.

So when you head to the polls today, choose people who are here year-round, not just at election time.

Vote HBFI and let’s keep fighting for our towns.

06/05/2026

The rapid rise in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Bolton saw unregulated numbers increase from 170 to over 720 within a few years, driven by the Government’s and Serco’s asylum dispersal scheme, “Operation Scatter”. It was only after pressure from HBFI and ‘Say No to HMOs’ that Bolton Council was forced to introduce an immediate Article 4 Direction, ensuring all HMO applications are now subject to proper planning scrutiny. As a result, increasing numbers of inappropriate applications are being refused for harming established residential communities.

Bolton Labour attempted to block a full council debate and delay the introduction of Article 4 by 12 months, which would have allowed the Government and Serco to push more HMOs into Horwich and Blackrod without scrutiny, to the lasting detriment of local communities.

HBFI successfully challenged Bolton Labour’s delaying tactics, forcing a U-turn that is now delivering positive results through the refusal of unsuitable conversions in Horwich.

06/05/2026
06/05/2026
06/05/2026

HBFI’s plans to create a Pump Park on Station Park have now reached the design development stage, with works hoped to begin this year. The Pump Park will encourage cycling, scootering, skateboarding, and outdoor exercise for all ages and abilities. It will provide children and young people with a safe, traffic-free place to ride, offering a positive and welcoming space for young people to enjoy all year round.

05/05/2026

HBFI's commitment to school safety (working alongside residents) has resulted in not only getting the Zebra crossing at Blackrod Church school approved but an upgrade to a pelican crossing at Blackrod Primary (coming soon).

HBFI also released funding for the implementation of new yellow lines on Manchester Road with clearer road markings, along with new warning signs near to Blackrod Church Primary School.

05/05/2026

It has been a challenge, but after more than 10 years of pressure from HBFI, developers have submitted an application including a commitment to on-site sporting and recreational facilities on Rivington Chase.

This land allocation forms part of a wider phased development and will help address the longstanding shortfall in sporting facilities in Horwich. Historically, our community has lost football pitches, tennis courts, bowling greens, and rugby fields.

HBFI is reversing that decline by delivering new facilities and protecting those that already exist for the whole community.

05/05/2026

Thanks to a successful amendment by HBFI during Bolton Council’s 2024 budget, a £1 million environmental rebate was secured – delivering direct investment into local green spaces this year.

As part of this, £231,400 has been allocated to improve parks across Horwich and Blackrod, ensuring new, inclusive equipment, essential repairs, and improved safety measures.

Upcoming local park upgrades include:

✅ Ainsworth Avenue, Horwich - £40,000: New play equipment and inclusive swing
✅ Green Lane, Horwich - £15,000: Play equipment improvements
✅ St. Leonard’s, Horwich - £50,900: Equipment repairs, new fencing, and anti-motorcycle measures
✅ Old Station Park, Horwich - £15,000: Resurfacing of main footpath
✅ Scot Lane End, Blackrod - £38,000: Refreshed play area, inclusive swing, goal post refurb, repainting
✅ Vicarage Road, Blackrod - £51,500: Refurbishment, trampoline replacement, and safety barriers
✅ Whitehall Lane, Blackrod - £42,000: (Discussions underway on possibly reallocating this to create additional play provision in Blackrod).

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