Campaigners feel betrayed over Bridgefoot Cenotaph decision

WARRINGTON Council’s decision to carry out improvements to the town centre Cenotaph on Bridgefoot instead of embracing calls for it to be moved to a more suitable location has left campaigners feeling “angry, sick and betrayed”.
Deputy leader and chair of the Armed Forces/World War 1 Commemoration task group, Cllr Mike Hannon, announced improvements to the Cenotaph at Bridgefoot at a meeting of the Borough Council this week, giving the view of the task group on proposals that the council should consider relocating the Cenotaph.
He said that the task group had given detailed consideration around a possible relocation but had decided to focus resources and effort on ensuring that the Cenotaph is well maintained, improve access and seating around it; and not recommend any big, potentially insensitive decisions, around a relocation at this point in time.
But those campaigning for it to be relocated feel as though they have been betrayed, believing they were going to be given a voice at the town hall meeting.
But the decision was taken without any consultation with the campaigners.
Explaining how the task group had come to this view Cllr Hannon (pictured right) said: “We are aware that the current site does cause some difficulties, particularly on Remembrance Sunday when large numbers of people congregate at the site. That is why we have explored options and want to share the information we have received from the War Memorials Trust and considerations around any potential relocation.
“The key point from the War Memorials Trust is: ‘War memorials are extremely emotive objects, and as a result, the issue of their relocation can be controversial and needs to be handled sensitively.
‘War Memorials Trust believes that, where possible, a war memorial should be preserved in its original location. The Trust only supports the relocation of a war memorial if its current position is putting the memorial at risk or if it is no longer accessible to the public for commemoration. It is important to think seriously about whether your war memorial needs to be relocated’.
Cllr Hannon added: “We are also aware that any potential relocation would need to be carried out very carefully to ensure the Cenotaph remained intact during any potential move. Experience elsewhere shows that until a project is underway, it is not always possible to identify all the potential risks around the foundations and structure associated with removing the memorial.
“The task group looked at other potential options around the site, particularly associated with the new Bridge Street development, where we could consider developing a more suitable pedestrianized area to allow better access to the memorial. The key point being, that from experience elsewhere, we need to ensure that decisions made by the current generation are the right ones for future generations when the area around the memorial may change to accommodate changing opportunities and priorities within the town.
“In our considerations, we have placed a great emphasis on making sure we respect the past. There was a very good reason why war memorials were sited at the centre of towns and cities – so that future generations would have a constant reminder of the many sacrifices made”.
Cllr Hannon has written to residents, including veterans, who have been keen to explore options to relocate the memorial explaining the Task Group’s view.
But campaigners in favour of a move to a better location, led by soldier’s mum Julie Francis and retired college technician Jeff Butler, who have been supported by local Afghanistan veteran Tom Coleridge, are now deciding what action to take.
Julie said: “The council has not heard the last about this. We thought we were going to be involved in a meeting and then the decision was made without any consultation.
“We are feeling very angry, sick and betrayed. We will certainly not be giving up the fight.”
Top picture shows campaingers Julie Francis and Jeff Butler with Tom Coleridge at the Cenotaph.