Town needs a bypass – MP

3

WARRINGTON town centre urgently needs a bypass if it is to cope with increased traffic congestion problems in the near future.
This was the view of Warrington South MP David Mowat in a House of Commons debate on the likely impact on the town of two major schemes.
Mr Mowat told the House that Warrington faced increased traffic disruption arising from introduction of tolls on the new Runcorn Bridge and increased use of the swing bridges on the Manchester Ship Canal as a result of the Peel Holdings’ Atlantic Gateway scheme.
The MP said just as more traffic began to pour into Warrington to avoid the Runcorn Bridge tolls by crossing the Mersey at Bridge Foot, traffic in the south of the borough would face increased disruption due to more ships using the Ship Canal to serve Salford Quays.
The Arpley Chord scheme, involving reconfiguration of the railway track south of Wilson Patten Street to allow for a new road linking Bank Quay railway station to Brian Bevan Island, was one suggestion Mr Mowat promised to lobby for.
He said: “So far Warrington Borough Council has developed memorandums of understanding with Peel Holdings on the canal movements, with some sensible measures in that regard, and with Halton Borough Council in respect of the bridge.
“However, we are tinkering at the boundaries and trying to mitigate what is immitigable.
“Both schemes that are causing problems in Warrington – the Atlantic gateway and the Mersey Gateway bridge – are good schemes that are necessary and should go forward.
“What I am asking is that collectively we do what we can to ensure that we do not undermine the prosperity and safety of the residents of Warrington as we pursue the schemes.”
Picture: Mr Mowat speaking in the Commons.


3 Comments
Share.

About Author

Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

3 Comments

  1. as one who attended a meeting regarding Smith Dve Orford being used as a through Rd , Why then doesn’t the authority build the Road through the rear of Rylands rec as intended when the New Town was involved.

    This would solve another road problem

  2. I bypass Warrington town centre whenever possible!

    If the council were to buy out the toll at the Warburton toll bridge (or simply build a new road which bypasses the small stone bridge by the toll barrier – which is what the toll is levied on), then that would provide an extra free flowing high level crossing over the ship canal, which could then easily be linked up to Birchwood and J11 of the M62.

  3. “So far Warrington Borough Council has developed memorandums of understanding with Peel Holdings on the canal movements, with some sensible measures in that regard, and with Halton Borough Council in respect of the bridge”. And the public will get to know what these are ….when?

Leave A Comment