500 new jobs likely if
business park approved
by David Skentelbery
UP to 500 jobs could be created if plans for a major new employment area are given the go-ahead at Warrington.
United Utilities Property Solutions are seeking permission for offices, research and development and light and general industry uses on land on the Forrest Way Business Park, Sankey Bridges.
The scheme involves raising the level of the site because it is in a tidal flood plain.
But a number of nearby residents are objecting – as are two borough councillors, Pat Wright (pictured)and Jeff Richards.
Coun Wright said: “The impact on Liverpool Road and Barnard Street would be totally unacceptable as more HGVs will be using Barnard Street as a means of getting to Forrest Way.
“There will be even more pollution, noise, etc in an area already suffering.”
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved because of its social-economic benefits.
Job creation is seen as a big plus because the site is in the Bewsey -Whitecross area – one of the most deprived parts of the borough.
But residents and the two councillors stress the adverse impact on the local highway network, particularly Liverpool Road and Barnard Street.
They say roads already cannot cope with the weight of traffic and the scheme will result in unacceptable increases. There will be pollution, noise and a loss of residential amenity to residents of the Sankey Bridges area.
Heavy lorries, including waste vehicles going to and from the giant Gatewarth landfill tip, already cause series traffic problems.
United Utilities are prepared to contribute ?450,000 towards traffic mitigation measures.
Nine arrested in
police crackdown
A MAJOR operation to clamp down on criminals using the road, in which Warrington police co-operated with officers from the rest of Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, has been hailed as a great success.
Nine people were arrested during the two day Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation.
Three people were travelling in a car which went through an ANPR check point on the M62. The car registered a ?hit? on the ANPR system and, when further checks were done, officers found a quantity of what were believed to be stolen credit cards along with ?3,000 cash.
A man of 40, another of 39 and a 29-year-old woman were arrested and have already made preliminary court appearances, charged with conspiracy to defraud.
There was further success on the M62 when three people were arrested on suspicion of going equipped for theft and the possession of an offensive weapon.
There were also arrests for criminal damage and disorderly behaviour while another man was arrested on warrant.
During the operation 34 vehicles were seized by officers from the three forces for a variety of reasons including no insurance, no driving licence and no operator’s licence.
Officers also recovered one stolen vehicle and issued 17 fixed penalty notices for a variety of offences including speeding, failing to conform to a red light and using a mobile phone whilst driving.
More than 170 heavy goods vehicles were stopped during the operation which resulted in six prohibition notices being issued for offences including the lack of an operator’s licence and serious defective vehicles. One HGV was reported for being overweight.
Smoking ban becomes
law in the summer
by John Hendon
THE long awaited ban on smoking in enclosed public places arrives in Warrington in the summer.
The Department of Health has unveiled that its Smoke Free Legislation will come into force on 1 July 2007.
Smoking will not be permitted in offices, factories, pubs and bars, and all other workplaces, including lorries and vans used for businesses.
Warrington Borough Council’s Food, Health and Safety team will be at the forefront of enforcing the ban locally and working with businesses to help them prepare for and implement the new legislation.
This move follows strong public support to protect people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke as well as providing smokers with an environment where it is easier to give up and not be tempted to start smoking again.
Coun Roy Smith, the borough council?s executive member for Community Services, said: “It’s great news that we finally have a date for the implementation of the smoke free regulations. This means there is sufficient time for businesses to begin working towards making their premises smoke free, to ensure compliance from 1st July onwards.
“We are urging businesses to start preparing for this and become smoke free now as our Food, Health and Safety team will be strictly enforcing the regulations when they come into force. However, they are ready to work with businesses and provide advice and support.”
Many businesses across Warrington have already become smoke free not only to protect their staff and customers from the ill-health effects associated with second-hand smoke, but also to improve the success of their businesses as they benefit from increased productivity, corporate image and a healthier workforce.
Late night bus
service from village
by Lesley Wilkinson
A LATE night bus service for Christmas revellers will operate from Stockton Heath to Warrington.
Stockton Heath Parish Council is to pay ?320 towards the service.
The idea is to help clear the village of people as pubs, bars and restaurants are closing.
Members heard that licensed premises that are part of the Pub Watch scheme had been asked to contribute towards the cost, but had declined.
The service will operate at weekends from 11.30 am to 1.00 am during the festive season. Buses from the town centre will also run to outlying areas of the borough.
Second bid to resolve
car parking plan
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs will make a second attempt to determine a planning application to extend an office car park at Warrington this week.
Members of the borough council?s development control committee have been urged by officers to refuse permission for the extension – to try and stop staff travelling to work by car.
But more than 120 nearby residents have written letters supporting the application by Carphone Warehouse at Standford House, Birchwood.
Members of Birchwood Town Council are also supporting the scheme.
The committee were asked to reach a decision last month but decided they wanted to inspect the site first.
Planning officers say the availability of parking has a major influence on people’s choice of transport.
A spokesman said: “Increasing the level of parking would detract from the important objective of promoting sustainable travel choices.”
The company want to increase the number of parking spaces from 223 to 343.
Birchwood councillors and residents say parking by Carphone Warehouse staff in nearby Glover Road is causing road safety problems – particularly for primary school pupils. The company has had limited success in persuading staff not to use their cars.
Two nearby residents are opposing the plan on the grounds it will turn the area into an “ugly and demoralising sea of tarmac”
News in brief
Flats refused
PLANS to convert a house in Froghall Lane, Warrington into two self-contained flats have been refused by borough council planners.
Bridge construction
A SECTION of the Bridgewater Canal towpath at Walton, Warrington, will be temporarily closed from January 8 to allow construction of a footbridge to take place. Driving will also be temporarily prohibited on Walton Lea Road. The work is expected to last two months.
Motorway crash
EMERGENCY services were called to the M62 near Warrington early today (Monday) to help clear wreckage after a collision between two vehicles. No-one was seriously injured.
Bedroom e
xtension
THE High Peak Nursing Home, in Main Lane, Kenyon, Warrington has won planning consent for a two-storey extension to provide 22 additional bedrooms.
Emergency airlift
A HELICOPTER airlifted a sick baby in an incubator from Victoria Park, Warrington for emergency treatment at a specialist unit on Merseyside.
Factory demolition
A PASSAGEWAY at the rear of Allen Street and Bewsey Street, Warrington, will be temporarily closed from January 8 while a factory in Bewsey Street is demolished. Work is expected to start on January 8 and is expected to last for eight weeks.
