NEWS that Warrington Borough Council and Peel Ports – owners of the Manchester Ship Canal – have reached agreement to minimise traffic disruption in the town when the bridges are swung, should on the face of it be welcomed.
Leader of the council Terry O’Neill and lead member for transport, Cllr Linda Dirir, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the company.
The agreement should reduce traffic disruption by limiting the number of occasions on which the bridges are operated during peak periods to less than 100 a year.
In addition, Peel have agreed to allow free use of the Warburton Toll Bridge at times of serious traffic hold-ups on the M6 at Thelwall Viaduct.
But what is the definition of “serious traffic hold ups.”
Hardly a day passes in Warrington when there isn’t a serious traffic hold up caused by an accident on one of the motorways, or road works.
The incident involving a lorry crashing scattering 6,000 chickens across the M62 near Irlam, is a classic example.
Also less than 100 bridge openings a year during peak periods, still means the bridges could be open up to twice a week – and again what exactly is
“Peak times” – with many people working flexi hours and part time these days, there isn’t an exact peak time – from my own experience this can be from any time from 7.30am-10am or from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
I sincerely hope the new agreement will improve travel times around Warrington, because as a growing successful town, we need a free flowing road system.
But I fear when we look back over the next 12 months, few of us will have noticed any difference.
