Civic Updates

We've launched our first Community Pulse Survey to understand what matters most to residents across Stoneclough and surrounding areas. The survey covers safety, wellbeing, environment, heritage, and opportunity. Your anonymous responses will directly shape which projects SCI prioritises this year. Take 3 minutes to have your say at /survey.

Following the severe flooding events in 2024, Bolton Council has confirmed that flood prevention infrastructure works along Ringley Road and the River Irwell corridor will commence in Spring 2026. The scheme includes improved surface water drainage, raised kerbing near Prestolee Road, and a new pumping station at Stoneclough Bridge. Residents are encouraged to register with the Environment Agency flood warning service. Parish members voted overwhelmingly in favour of prioritising this issue in our community survey.

The February 2026 Parish Meeting will take place on Saturday 15th February at 10:30am. Agenda items include: Community Pulse Survey preliminary results, Heritage Lottery bid discussion, Q1 budget allocation vote, and volunteer coordination for the spring clean-up. All parish members welcome. Hybrid format (village hall + Zoom link).

The heritage trail through Moses Gate Country Park, running from Hall Lane through to the Rock Hall Visitor Centre, has been fully restored after damage from winter storms. New interpretation boards covering the industrial heritage of the Crompton and Lever families have been installed. The trail is fully accessible and includes information about the former bleach works, coal mines, and the historic Rock Hall itself. Walking groups can register via the park office.

Our latest financial transparency report is now available. Total parish membership revenue for Q4 2025 was £840, distributed as follows: 70% (£588) to the Parish Fundraising Pool, 20% (£168) to platform maintenance, and 10% (£84) to founder-developer support. Full breakdown available in the Revenue Reports section. Every penny accounted for.

Stoneclough Primary School on Rawson Avenue is holding its annual summer fete on Saturday 12th July 2026. The school is looking for volunteers to help run stalls, manage parking, and assist with setup from 7am. All proceeds go to the school PTA fund for new playground equipment. If you can spare a few hours, please contact the school office or sign up through the parish hub.

Diamond Bus has confirmed changes to the 518 service (Bolton to Whitefield via Stoneclough and Ringley) effective from 1st March 2026. The revised timetable adds two additional evening services on weekdays (departing Stoneclough at 20:15 and 21:30) but removes the Saturday 06:45 service due to low ridership. Full timetable available on the Diamond Bus website and at the bus stop on Ringley Road.

SCI conducted a heritage assessment walk along the Stoneclough-Kearsley canal towpath on 25th January. The towpath shows significant deterioration in three sections and two heritage features (bridge #14 and the lock keeper's cottage) need urgent cataloguing before any restoration bid. Photos and the full assessment report are being compiled. We will share findings at the February meeting.

The January 2026 parish revenue report is now published. Total membership revenue was £280 from 28 active members. As per our transparent 30/30/40 split: £84 allocated to the Parish Fundraising Pool, £84 to platform costs (hosting, security, Stripe fees), and £112 to founder-developer support. The fundraising pool now stands at £347 cumulative. Full breakdown available on the Revenue Reports page.

Bolton Council has received a planning application (ref: 12345/26) for the construction of 14 residential dwellings on land adjacent to Ringley Road, near the junction with Prestolee Road. The application is open for public comment until 28th February 2026. Parish members are encouraged to review the plans on the Bolton Council planning portal and share their views. A discussion thread has been opened in the Proposals section.

The SCI Board has formally adopted an updated Safeguarding Policy, aligned with current UK best practice for community interest organisations. The policy covers child protection, vulnerable adult support, DBS requirements for volunteer roles, and incident reporting procedures. The full policy document is available in the Governance section. All team leads are required to review it.

We're excited to launch the official Stoneclough Community Initiative platform! Here you can discover local businesses, join community groups, attend events, and participate in local governance. Start by creating your free account and exploring what Stoneclough has to offer.

We're gathering feedback on what matters most to Stoneclough residents. Take 2 minutes to complete our community priorities survey and help shape our 2026 initiatives. Your input directly influences our community projects and funding allocation.

Local businesses can now add photo galleries, opening hours, and special offers to their listings. Upgrade to Business Basic or Premium to unlock advanced features like analytics, lead management, and featured placement.

Thanks to fundraising efforts through the Stoneclough Community Hub, a public access defibrillator (PAD) has been installed at Stoneclough Cricket Club on Ringley Road. The unit is available 24/7 and is registered with the North West Ambulance Service. Free training sessions on how to use the defibrillator will be held on the first Saturday of each month at the cricket club pavilion.

We are delighted to announce the formation of Stoneclough Community Council (SCC). Our mission is to strengthen local democracy and return decision-making to the residents of Stoneclough, Prestolee and Ringley.

Join us by signing the constitution and become a founding member. Together we can protect our villages, defend our green spaces, and ensure residents have a formal voice on matters that affect our community.

Visit the Join page to sign up today!