Fire crews de-camp to Farnworth regeneration site to scale new heights
Firefighters scaled new heights in Farnworth as they de-camped to the town centre regeneration site for a high rise mission.
With the towering tall crane currently in place working on Capital&Centric’s Farnworth Green project, firefighters were invited to site to put their rope rescue skills to the test.
Curious onlookers who watched on will be pleased to be reassured that it was just a realistic drill …. not a high stakes emergency.
As part of the realistic training exercise, crews from Farnworth, Leigh and Hindley stations had to set up a rescue system and safely lower both themselves and a casualty from the dizzying heights. It was the ideal opportunity to perfect their skills in case they ever need to perform such a rescue in the future.
The £24m neighbourhood is set to feature 97 homes, independent retailers, café-bars and green outdoor hangout spaces when done.
Adam Tormey, Green Watch Crew Manager with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We regularly practice rescue techniques at our station tower, but it’s rare to get the opportunity for such a realistic training setting as the crane. Crews could one day have to perform a rescue at such heights – say if a construction worker had a medical episode – so it’s invaluable to get on-site experience. The fact it’s on our doorstep delivering the next chapter for Farnworth town centre is even better.
“A massive thanks to all the team at the site for hosting us and handing over the crane for the exercise, we took away some great learning points and had really positive feedback from our teams.”
Capital&Centric and their contractor teams are ploughing ahead on the Farnworth Green site. The concrete frame is rapidly taking shape, with one of the buildings that will feature new retail spaces and homes now up to the first floor.
The foundations for a neighbouring block are also being poured this week, with work set to complete in winter 2024/5.
Scott Mallinson, Development Director at Capital&Centric, said:
“We’re powering ahead to deliver Farnworth Green and, floor-by-floor and frame-by-frame, the buildings are starting to take shape. This is a once in generation opportunity to overhaul Farnwoth and get more people living and spending time here as part of the town centre’s exciting next chapter.
“Despite it being a live construction site, it’s brilliant to be able to accommodate the local fire service teams to give them a rare, real-world setting in which to practice their essential skills.”
Work on the scheme - backed in part by the Government’s Future High Street Fund, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund and Bolton Council’s District Centres Fund - started last December.
It’s one of several town centre reboots that Capital&Centric are delivering as part of an ongoing mission to re-imagine Greater Manchester’s district centres – helping draw in a new generation of people to live and work there. Plans are in the works to transform Wigan’s former civic centre into creative new workspaces, whilst the overhaul of Weir Mill in Stockport is powering ahead.
Farnworth Green will feature:
Design-led homes: Including 85 one and two bedroom apartments as well as 12 family homes (two and three bedroom) to create a real mix of residents calling Farnworth home
Commercial: Over 20,000 sqft of space for bars, cafes and independent stores
Community hub: A groundfloor community hub, providing a space to meet-up
A new public square: Complete with green spaces and places to relax
Outdoor community spots: Including an events pavilion, set to support outdoor community events from art and live music to makers markets
Greenery: Lush landscaping to introduce greenery to the town centre
Accessibility: Pedestrian links through the community and safe cycle storage