'We understand scepticism... but this time it'll be different'

THE MAN BEHIND THE PROJECT TO REGENERATE SKELMERSDALE TELLS THE ECHO WHY THIS PLAN WILL SUCCEED WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED

- By JAMIE GREER

A KEY figure behind the planned regeneration of a "forgotten" town says he understands why people are sceptical about the latest masterplan for the area.

The ECHO reported last month on the fortunes of Skelmersdale in West Lancashire.

Better known as Skem to locals and most people in Merseyside, its population boomed in the 1960s when it was designated as a 'new town' by the government and used as an overspill area for Liverpool's growing population.

The new town is centred around the Concourse Shopping Centre and branches out into a number of 1960s-built housing estates.

The old town, known as Old Skem, is found to the west, beyond the A5068.

Those who moved to the town were joined by new factories and offices, with the aim of providing a better quality life to the packed terrace streets of Liverpool.

But Skelmersdale has suffered in the years since, with 14 of its neighbourhoods being in the top 20% of most deprived areas in England. Many shops have closed and offices have closed down too.

Another issue is that, although its residents have strong connections to Liverpool and many of them appear to have a Scouse accent to outsiders, it has no train station and a trip into the city will take you well over an hour.

Many residents the ECHO spoke to earlier this month told us the town feels forgotten about and has been let down by regeneration schemes which have either failed to improve the town or failed to get off the ground entirely.

The firm behind the latest masterplan though, Tawd Valley Developments Limited, insist that things will be different this time around.

The masterplan equates to around £150m of investment, with around 600 new homes, 30,000 square feet of new commercial and community spaces and a train station.