NEWTON'S development, disorder in the town and excessive traffic were all debated at a packed residents' meeting on Thursday, April 29.

Newton Resident's Association chairman Paul Taylor gave feedback on what the 11-strong committee has tackled over the past year and noted down people's current concerns.

Plans for Parkside, repairs on the railway arch bridge, HGVs going to and from the landfill site, youth disorder, High Street paving, Newton Lake and Aretta the Italian restaurant all provoked debate.

On anti-social behaviour in Mesnes Park, Mr Taylor said: "Should it get any worse, please inform the police and obtain a crime number.

"It won't be a magic formula to get police back on the beat in Newton but we must make them aware of any disorder that does take place."

Problems with HGVs ploughing through the town is ongoing and Newton Residents' Association has objected to a planning application from a firm wanting to put a brick and concrete recycling plant on the Deacon Trading Estate, about to go before the planning committee.

Mr Taylor is also to meet with the manager of Cory Environmental to discuss HGV problems.

He said: "I've been told that only firms with a Newton connection should be using local roads, although of course this is a difficult thing to get drivers to comply with."

Paving on the High Street has been successfully laid, thanks to the association.

Mr Taylor said: "We did made representations for block paving, which unfortunately didn't happen, but the area around the Halifax wouldn't have been paved without our input."

The association has also asked for double yellow lines to be painted on Golborne Street to reduce double parking, although St Helens Council has said that it will have to wait for dry weather.