SITE No 20
PHIL`S WALK
THE WALKWAY WAS CREATED BECAUSE THE CHILDREN FROM ST MICHAEL`S PRIMARY SCHOOL HAD TO WALK DOWN THE VERY DANGEROUS MAIN LEIGH ROAD TO GET TO THE HOWE BRIDGE LEISURE CENTRE FOR SWIMMING AND P E LESSONS. THE PAVEMENT WAS VERY NARROW AND THIS PLACED THE CHILDREN IN A PERILOUS POSITION FROM THE HEAVY TRAFFIC THAT USED LEIGH ROAD, INCLUDING BUSES AND HGVs.
THE WALKWAY WAS ALSO USED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO LIVED IN THE NORTHERN END OF THE VILLAGE TO GET TO THE CENTRE.
THIS IS A PHOTO OF PHIL LOUDON, WHO, VERY SADLY PASSED AWAY AS THE WALKWAY WAS NEARING COMPLETION, PHIL WORKED ON THE FOOTPATH AND WAS ALSO A VERY ACTIVE AND COMMITTED SUPPORTER OF THE BRIDGERS AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND IT WAS A UNANIMOUS DECISION TO NAME THE FOOTPATH AFTER HIM
This is at the start of the construction, members of the local Army Cadet Corp joined in with the Bridgers Community Group, Atherton Environment Projects and members of the Gardeners Bowling Club to build the walkway
IT WAS HARD WORK
PHIL`S WALK COMPLETED
CHILDREN FROM ST MICHAEL`S SCHOOL USING PHIL`S WALK TO WALK SAFELY BETWEEN SCHOOL AND HOWE BRIDGE LEISURE CENTRE
DEDICATION OF PHILS WALK FOLLOWING COMPLETION, PHOTO SHOWS PHIL`S WIFE & DAUGHTER WITH DEREK SIMPSON { VICAR OF ST MICHAELS } AND KEITH SUMNER { CHAIRMAN OF ATHERTON ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS }