Residents split over
sports club rescue plan
by David Skentelbery
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A PLAN which would provide funds to revive a long established sports club has split a Warrington community.
Some people living near the Eagle Sports Club, in Thornton Road, Great Sankey are totally opposed to the scheme – which involves building four detached houses and two detached garages on adjoining land.
But others say the project would remove an unsightly piece of land which is used as a dumping ground and as a meeting place for gangs of youths drinking late at night.
Members of Warrington’s development control group have already put off a decision once to allow time for a site visit.
Next Wednesday (August 11) they will be recommended by officers to approve the scheme.
Applicants Unique Living Ltd say money raised by the development would be used to carry out a thorough internal and external refurbishment of the clubhouse, renew worn out parking areas and provide improved access for the disabled.
A dilapidated bowling green would be renovated over a period of 2-3 years to provide a facility suitable for competitive matches. A bowling pavilion would also be provided – subject to planning consent.
A new brick wall – also requiring a separate planning consent – could be built to screen the club premises from nearby houses.
Objectors say there could be traffic problems, noise, loss of trees, loss of privacy and other problems.
Supporters say an eyesore site would be removed and that the current misuse of the land outweighs the loss of any trees.
Coun Joe Holman is also strenuously opposing the scheme.
He said: “I support all the residents’ objections. Thornton Road is already congested during peak hours and the situation can only get worse.
Parking is difficult on Freckleton Close and a potential delay for emergency vehicles.
Parking chaos makes
residents see red
by Gary Skentelbery
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RESIDENTS are calling for council action to help resolve parking chaos outside their homes caused by lack of space at Warrington Hospital.
Following “heavy handed” action by police who “ticketed” numerous residents cars for “illegally parking on pavements” people living in Wellfield Street, Warrington, are now making a stand to resolve the problems.
Car owners have to park their cars on pavements to allow other vehicles to get through the street, which has no off road parking.
Following a complaint by one resident about cars parking on footpaths, police issued warning notices on numerous vehicles threatening to issue fines to those who persisted to park on the pavements.
But residents say most of the parking problems are caused by people visiting Warrington hospital, who are reluctant to pay car parking charges or unable to find a parking space.
Residents spokesman Karl Ciz said police had “backed off” following meetings with residents, who would now make a stand until the situtaion was resolved.
He believes a simple soultion would be for the council to paint a white line down the middle of the footpath, allowing vehicles to park half off the road.
“The situation is by no means resolved. There is a very strong feeling we will be ignored by the council ? and we need them to listen to us. Previous consultation exercises have been merely to placate the neighbourhood and residents feelings have been ignored. This time it will be different ? we will stick together to bar ineffective and costly council activity which adversely affects our neighbourhood and does not have the backing of the people.
“We have been promised consultation verbally but have as yet seen no sign of confirmation in writing that the council will not go ahead with schemes unless the majority of residents agree. We aim to stand together until a full and fair solution to parking, caused predominantly by lack of hospital parking, is resolved.”
Mr Ciz said he was disappointed that the hospital appeared to be ignoring the issue and failing to return his calls.
Boost for town’s
refuse collection
by staff reporter
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THREE new refuse vehicles have been rolled out at Warrington – with another three to follow in the autumn.
Each vehicle is able to take an additional one tonne in weight, which will reduce the number of times the vehicle has to tip. The increased load capacity will also help match the annual residential growth in Warrington.
Each vehicle costs ?126,545 – an investment into the service, which is already seen as good quality by the people of Warrington.
Alongside reducing refuse, the new vehicles will add to service efficiency costs and benefit the whole borough.
Peter Connell, strategic director of neighbourhood services, said: “We are always investigating ways to improve efficiency in Warrington. I believe the arrival of these new vehicles, and another three in the autumn, will go a long way to helping us to continue to provide a quality service to the community.”
Local charity wins
national award
by staff reporter
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WARRINGTON-based charity ARC is celebrating after achieving Matrix, the national quality standard for information, advice and guidance services.
ARC provides these services to those affected by the issues of abusive, violent or unhealthy relationships.
The Matrix quality standard, which has 10 elements, is designed as a powerful framework based on best practice, to successfully develop, deliver and manage high quality information and advice services. The standard covers practical, down-to-earth issues such as the way ARC manages and communicates the service it provides, how the service is delivered to its clients, how staff are continually supported and how facilities and the resources in the centre are best used.
Pam Skelham, Director of Services at ARC said: “ARC is now in its fourth year and we continue to go from strength-to-strength, it is great that the quality of services we provide to our clients continues to be recognised. We not only offer the information, advice and guidance but we also support our clients throughout the entire process so that eventually they can act upon the information and advice given to go on to a better future.
“The team at ARC has worked hard to achieve this award. It is an excellent recognition of all the hard work, professionalism and enthusiasm that we put into our work every day for the benefit of our clients.”
Shoppers in for a
musical treat
by staff reporter
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SHOPPERS at Warrington’s Golden Square are in for a real treat tomorrow (Saturday) when popular big band High Brass make its debut appearance at the centre.
High Brass is made up of 20 top musicians with experience in the field of jazz and Latin music. However, this is by no means a traditional big band – gone are the traditional reed and trombone sections and in their place sit mellophonium and baritone horn sections, producing a unique and energetic sound.
Golden Square manager Andrew Ward said: “We are thrilled to have High Brass performing in the centre. I would really recommend the people of Warrington don’t miss this band, they are one of my favourites and I am very much looking forward to hearing them live.”
Mark Geraghty, assistant director and a member of High Brass said: “We love playing to a live crowd, it really gives us a buzz. Being able to entertain the shoppers in Golden Square is a fantastic opportunity and we hope they enjoy it.”
High Brass will be performing in the Old Market Place, Golden Square shopping Centre from 1pm-4pm. Copies of the band’s CD will be available on the day.
Optician helps GP to
help Third World needy
by John Hendo
n
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AN APPEAL from a Warrington GP has been answered after a town centre opticians offered to help him collect old pairs of glasses for deprived people in Sri Lanka.
Specsavers in Sankey Street made the gesture after reading about Dr Sri Kumaraswamy, of Bold Street Medical Centre, who collects the spectacles for people in the southern part of Sri Lanka, where there are no opticians and all medical treatment must be paid for.
Store director Geoff Smith said: “We read about Dr Kumaraswamy’s appeal and I was delighted to be able to assist.
“Our town centre location makes this an ideal place for local people to drop off their unwanted pairs of glasses, so I’ll be placing a collection box in the store and handing them over to the surgery on a regular basis.”
The doctor has been distributing corrective eyewear in his homeland for the past five years and has helped hundreds of people, mainly at his own expense. The last time he visited Sri Lanka, he distributed 273 pairs of glasses, as well as walking aids and medical advice.
Dr Kumaraswamy said: “People may underestimate the difference that their old spectacles can make to the lives of those affected by poor eyesight or preventable blindness. People in the Third World will walk for days to receive these glasses and some have their sight improved by life-changing proportions.
“We are delighted to have Specsavers supporting the appeal and I hope that local people will take the opportunity to pop in with unwanted specs as they pass the store.”
Twelve compete for
landfill cash
by staff reporter
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TWELVE communities across Cheshire have entered the Waste Recycling Group Village and Community Hall Challenge and stand a chance of winning ?250,000 towards creating their very own meeting place.
Across the UK there have been 140 entries for the Challenge which aims to identify two communities in need of a village hall or community centre with a further six finalists. The eight short-listed projects will be unveiled in September, with the winning communities to be announced in London on 28 April next year.
A number of groups of Warrington are understood to have put in bids.
The funding comes from the Landfill Tax credits of Waste Recycling Group Ltd, administered and distributed by Environmental Body Wren. The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (www.ltcs.org.uk) currently gives waste management companies the opportunity to invest up to 6.8% of their Landfill Tax bill into community and environmental, projects in their immediate area.
Mike Snell, General Manager of External Affairs with Waste Recycling Group Ltd, explained: “We’re absolutely delighted by the response to the challenge and it clearly shows the levels of passion and enthusiasm that exist when it comes to creating and developing community-centred resources.
“Such facilities are the very heartbeat of thriving communities and we are pleased to be able to play our part in helping to provide them,” added Mike.
Gwyneth Dunwoody MP, who launched the Challenge in March 2004 and is on the judging panel, commented: “Village halls and centres are the lifeblood of local communities providing an extensive array of facilities and resources that enhance peoples’ lives. This challenge will benefit particularly villages and communities which do not have adequate facilities where people can meet.” The Landfill Tax credits of Waste Recycling Group Ltd have, since 1998, helped to renovate and refurbish over 400 village halls across the UK with ?6.2 million in funding.
Driver escapes as
new car blazes
by staff reporter
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A MOTORIST escaped unhurt when his virtually brand new car burst into flames in Winwick Road, Warrington.
The Alfa Romeo 156 suffered severe damage to the engine compartment and to the interior after the fire broke out.
Fire crews from nearby Warrington Fire Station were on the scene promptly.
Cause of the blaze was put down to an electrical fault.
