Canal tragedy
road closed
by Gary Skentelbery
A COUNTRY lane which tragically claimed the lives of two teenagers when the car they were travelling in careered off a
bend into a canal is to be closed with immediate effect, pending an investigation.
Following a joint decision by Warrington Borough Council and Cheshire Police, Stockton Lane in Grappenhall has
been closed as a through route for around four months.
The closure has been agreed following the accident which claimed the lives of 17-year-olds Gemma Biggin from
Grappenhall and Stephen Abbott, from Orford. Stephen was driving the car when it left the road on a bend and plunged
into the canal.
Two other teenagers, Jake Edwards and Anthony Bond managed to escape from the submerged vehicle by smashing the
rear windscreen and have since presented a 1,000 name petition to the town hall, urging action to prevent another tragedy.
Despite the heroic attempts of passersby Gemma died at the scene and Stephen later in hospital.
It has now been decided to close the road in advance of any recommendations that may be
forthcoming from an inquiry into the crash, to eliminate any potential risks to road users.
Welcoming the decision Gemma’s father, local parish councillor Mike Biggin, has pledged to make it his lifes work
to have a safety barrier erected on the bend at the scene of the accident.
Letters have been sent to all those people and businesses affected by the temporary road closure, following
preliminary indications that the majority of people around the area supported the proposal.
The closure has been brought about using emergency powers and will be followed by a temporary closure order put
in motion by the Borough Council.
Signs will be displayed at both ends of Stockton Lane during the closure to inform drivers that Stockton Lane
will not be a through road. However, residents and business users will still be able to access their properties or
organisations.
Phil Johnson, Assistant Director for Transport, said: “I apologise personally for any problems this temporary
closure may cause and we will do our very best to respond to any individual difficulties people may have as quickly as
possible. I would also like to acknowledge the support given for this action by the majority of residents in the area.”
If a temporary closure is agreed beyond the current period of emergency closure, any recommendations that result from inquiries into the incident will be implemented prior to any further changes.
“Affordable homes” plan
goes to third inquiry
by David Skentelbery
A THIRD public inquiry has been ordered into a controversial housing scheme on greenfield land at Lymm, near Warrington.
Developers Wilson Connolly North West have appealed against Warrington Borough Council’s decision to refuse detailed planning consent for 200 houses on land off Longbutt Lane, Lymm.
The date and venue of the hearing has not yet been fixed but anyone wishing to make representations to the Planning Inspectorate by January 17.
Two inquiries have already been held to establish the principle of housing on the land and there has also been an appeal hearing in the High Court.
Even then, outline permission was granted only on condition that half the 200 houses would be “affordable in perpetuity” – and it was because members of the borough’s development control committee were not convinced the homes would be “affordable” that they threw the detailed plans out.
Planning officers recommended the scheme be approved because it seemed the “affordable in perpetuity” condition was not achievable and the developer’s proposals were the best that could be expected.
The “affordable” homes would be sold at 32.5 per cent less than open market value and future capital receipts would be “ring fenced” to help provide affordable homes in other parts of the borough.
Councillors decided however, to “fight to the end.”
Coun Ian Marks said even if the council lost at appeal, their stance would send a strong message to other developers trying to “ride roughshod” over local communities.
There was massive local opposition to the scheme, which includes three-storey houses and flats on an elevated site.
Nearby residents say the three-storey blocks would dominate the area, dwarfing even the tower of nearby Oughtrington Parish Church.
Festive cheer for
Childrens Hospice
by Gary Skentelbery
CHARITY fundraiser Kirsty Howard visited Bents Garden Centre in Glazebury, Warrington, to make a special collection on behalf of her friends at Francis House Children’s Hospice.
Fifty Bents’ Bears were waiting for Kirsty who had kindly agreed to deliver the furry friends into the welcoming arms of the many children who rely on the support and care offered at the hospice.
Bents has decided to focus its attention on the Kirsty Millennium Appeal to raise ?5m in aid of Francis House Children’s Hospice.
Crime down by
eight per cent
by John Hendon
AN eight per cent decrease in recorded crime has been announced by Cheshire Police.
The report covers the period July-September – and is the most up-to-date figure yet available.
A total of 21, 035 crimes were recorded by the force during the three month period compared to 22,830 during the same period in 2003.
The statistics were revealed by Chief Constable Peter Fahy in his quarterly report to Cheshire Police Authority.
He said: “The force has been and still is going through lots of changes and you may have thought our performance may have suffered. We are actually seeing an overall reduction in crime and a dramatic reduction in burglary and vehicle crime.
“Serious assaults, muggings and business robbery is down however common assault and harassment figures are up.
“This reflects the nature of the society we are policing. We’re seeing greater effects of abuse of alcohol and chaotic relationships. An overwhelming number of assault victims and offenders are known to each other.
“There’s a lot of cases where the victim refuses to make a complaint. A number of very serious cases don’t ever enter the Criminal Justice System because of that reason.”
Mr Fahy’s report highlights crime trends and police detection rates in a number of areas including violent crime, burglaries, vehicle crimes and drug supply offences.
Figures show that life-threatening and gun crime went down 11 per cent, with 80 incidents recorded compared to 90 in 2003. Violent crime in general however is up by 9 per cent although a significant proportion (58 per cent) of the violent crime incidents relate to non life threatening, low-level offences such as common assault and harassment.
Burglary statistics however are positive in all areas – a total of 986 burglaries were recorded this July-September compared to 1,627 during the same period last year and detection rates are up from 23 per cent to 25 per cent.
It’s good news for motorists too. There’s been a 23 per cent decrease in vehicle crime with 2,512 vehicle crime incidents recorded compared to 3,245 back in 2003. An encouraging 15 per cent of the 2,512 crimes have been detected, which is an increase on the 12 per cent detected during the 2003 summer period.
The verdict isn’t so good however for drug offenders. A total of 20 per cent more Class A drug supply offences have been dealt with (30) in comparison to the same slot in 2003 (25). Thirty per cent related to cocaine offences and 30 per cent related to heroin.
Using information from members of the public to help direct resources in the right place at the right time, increased partnership working and dedicated campaigns such as Safer Homes have all contributed to the successes, according to Mr Fahy.
Stepping
back in
time at Walton
by staff reporter
THOUSANDS of visitors stepped back in time over three weekends to enjoy a
traditional Victorian-style Christmas at Walton Gardens, Warrington.
The entertainment ranged from Morris Dancers and Carousels to Land Train rides, Yule log and tree decorations workshops with brass bands and Punch and Judy.
The most popular attraction of all was, of course, Santa in his magical grotto in a woodland setting and with its very own workshop.
Children also had the opportunity to enter the “Singing Santa” competition and the winner of this was Kyle Sudworth, of Great Sankey.
