Hundreds turn out to sign Saltney Pharmacy petition

Hundreds of shoppers signed a petition in support of bringing a pharmacy to Saltney.

Community leaders, including Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant and MP Mark Tami, were outside Morrisons in Saltney on Friday collecting signatures from those who want to see a pharmacy set up in the store.

The original plan by the supermarket giant was rejected last year, but the Welsh Government decision was quashed after representation from Mr Sargeant, Saltney councillors and residents.

The application and appeals against it will now be reconsidered and a fresh decision is expected to be made in October 2013.

In 2009 the residents of Saltney submitted a 1000 strong petition to the Welsh Government,who blocked planning in support of Pharmacy giant Boots objections.

Councillor for the Saltney Ward, Veronica Gay tweeted

Saltney pharmacy is so close to being achieved thanks to residents persistency and determination from 2009 a positive result will be welcome

— Veronica Gay (@VeronicaGayFCC) September 20, 2013

She also said:

“I will be so very pleased for the residents of Saltney as they have been denied too many services for too long because somebody doesn’t know their geography and where the English/Welsh border is situated”

Mr Sargeant said:

“We were overwhelmed by the number of shoppers who wanted to pledge their support and sign our petition. Some even made a special trip to Morrisons just to add their names to the list.

“It just goes to show the strength of feeling in the town about this issue. Almost all of the people we spoke to wanted to sign and said they were very keen for Saltney to get its own pharmacy.

“The current situation is not convenient for residents, particularly those who are elderly or have ongoing medical conditions and are having to travel to Broughton or Chester on a regular basis to pick up their medicine.”

Residents can also send their views by post to Carl’s office at 70 High Street, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, CH5 4DD or by email to [email protected].