A quick drive around Ashurst and there’s no denying it’s a natural beauty. With Cobbs Clough in the north, Westheads Clough just south, and the breath-taking beauty of Beacon Park to the east. Don’t forget the hidden jewel in the heart of Skelmersdale to your west — The Tawd Valley. If you live in Ashurst, you cherish its biological heritage sites and vast abundance of wildlife. It’s a treasure. So, who has Ashurst’s best interest at heart?
Allow me to introduce myself…
Hi, my name is James Upjohn. I am a resident & homeowner in Ashurst. Like you, I have fallen in love with all that Ashurst has to offer but this town is dreadfully underappreciated. That’s why I am actively involved in Skelmersdale, with schools, community centres, and volunteer groups. As an independent, I am passionate about Ashurst and have no party line to toe. My mission is to make Ashurst an environment where families want to grow, where residents feel safe, and where you can have a better quality of life.
How do I intend to do that, you ask?
Say goodbye to the Poor Man of the Borough Image
In all seven wards of Skelmersdale, years of neglect and government cuts have created an unreasonable reputation. There are no campaigns to make Skelmersdale a more desirable place to live. Meanwhile, £26 million of your money sits in usable reserves at WLBC.
Conveniently placed less than 40 minutes between both Liverpool & Manchester, with close access to beaches and world-class shopping, Ashurst should be a commuters’ paradise. People should be scrambling to live here.
You take a walk around our paths and see years of decaying leaves, unwanted litter and flooded subways. There’s a demand for more litter bins and anti-litter campaigns that would eradicate the poor man’s image.
The Privatisation of Ashurst’s Community Centre was a Tragedy
Other areas in the UK of similar population take certain things we do not have for granted. Ashurst lacks a decent number of parks to choose from. You and your family are missing out on the chance to create meaningful, lifelong memories.
A quick hop on the bus is not a luxury you have. Ashurst’s painfully slow and unreliable bus service is a serious hindrance. It is a literal roadblock preventing local residents from getting where they need to go. Public transportation encourages neighbourly interactions. It’s an opportunity for the entire community to be one cohesive unit.
The decision to give away Ashurst’s Community Centre and use it as a private enterprise was costly. Celebrations, parties, gatherings, and functions are an essential part of a community. A place where residents can connect and become neighbours is sorely missing.
Frightening Earmarked Land
There is a large amount of land waiting to become home to new housing developments. Ashurst lacks the infrastructure to support additional housing, despite the benefits. Ashurst Schools lack adequate parking and additional houses will only exacerbate that problem.
Have you tried getting an appointment at Ashurst Health Centre? Some are reporting having to wait weeks and that’s before a single additional house is built.
I don’t mind embracing new developments, more money in the town can only be a good thing. What we should all oppose though is the continual throwing up of houses without any new infrastructure to support them. Our few vital services are already stretched enough.
Transformation is Calling You
Our town is begging for an evolution. Our voices are often overlooked at our Council Meetings (check the agendas). The candidate I will be standing against doesn’t even live in Ashurst! How can they speak up on behalf of Ashurst and its people?
They do not value and appreciate Ashurst in a way that you and I do. I am appalled and, frankly, I have had enough. You deserve a Councillor who wants to hear your concerns. A Councillor with a passion for transforming Ashurst from decent to AMAZING.
With that said, I announce my intent to run for Local Councillor for Ashurst, as an Independent, in the upcoming election. May 6th, 2021 — Save the Date!
By being Independent it is my desire to bring people together and to leave party politics to the national elections, where it belongs!
Allow me to be the voice of Ashurst and protect our home.
Allow me to be your voice and stand up for you.
Still not convinced that I love Ashurst as much as you? Visit my Facebook group HERE and follow my campaign.
Have concerns to share? Contact me
Phone: +44 7956 597603
Email: info@jamesupjohn.com