Lancashire | Archive | 1999 | May | 15
From the Bolton Evening News, first published Saturday 15th May 1999.
THE former Lostock Open Air School in Bolton is being earmarked as a temporary base to house dozens of Kosovo refugees.
The council-owned building has been flagged up as one potential site after a recent inspection visit by council bosses.
The school on St John's Road, which used to cater for children with health difficulties, could be a temporary home for the people fleeing the regime of Slobodan Milosevic within the next few weeks. Other Bolton sites have also been looked at.
Bolton Council has made no official comment on the plan, but the BEN has learned that consultations with council bosses have been going on for some time about where refugees could be housed.
They are now identifying suitable buildings for assessment centres where the refugees would go initially and buildings suitable to be used as more permanent living accommodation.
The first plane load of refugees bound for North-west towns arrived at Manchester Airport on Monday.
Within the next two to three weeks, a plane will be arriving every day in Britain, Home Secretary Jack Straw has announced.
The move came after a pledge by Prime Minister Tony Blair to bring more refugees to Britain, delivered after his visit to the overcrowded camps in Macedonia.
It also came after a warning that conditions in the refugee tent cities were close to crisis point and amid criticism that the UK was not doing enough to relieve pressure on desperately over-stretched facilities.
Dispersed
Eventually, the Home Office said one plane would be arriving every day to help relieve pressure on the teeming camps in northern Macedonia.
Mr Straw said those arriving would be dispersed to all parts of the country, with the cost born by central government.
However, he refused to put a figure on the total number of refugees Britain would accept, saying this would depend on the changing situation on the ground.
A spokesman for Bolton Council confirmed sites visits were currently taking place. He said: "We haven't identified any definite sites yet because it is a long process and we haven't had any definite information about refugees, but with the numbers that are coming into the country we expect to have to play a part very soon and will do as much as we can."
Around 150 family groups fleeing the Balkans are due to land at Manchester Airport next week destined for Ruthin Court in Salford precinct.
The last tenants have just moved out of the block as city council bosses plan to sell the building, but now it is to be made ready for the refugee families.
City council leader Cllr Bill Hinds said: "We are keen to offer the warmest welcome to these refugees who need our help now as they are fleeing their own homes in such desperate circumstances. We are very grateful for all the help we have had so far from our won staff and residents who have volunteered or donated items."
Regular information for members of public will be issued through help lines on 0161 793 2222 or 0161 793 2785. Staff on these lines will give out information about what help is needed and how people can contribute.
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