Threat to plan for
new river crossing?
by Lesley Wilkinson
A NEW bridge over the Mersey – which would relieve chronic traffic congestion in Warrington – could be under threat.
The North West Regional Assembly has expressed concern that the proposed new river crossing – close to the existing Runcorn-Widnes bridge – could share the fate of the Metrolink extension in Manchester and be axed to save money.
A consortium headed by Halton Council, but also including Warrington and other local authorities and organisations, seeking to relieve pressure on the existing bridge by building a second one.
But the North West Regional Assembly is urging the Government to avoid turning the plan into another body blow to the regional economy similar to the Metrolink fiasco.
The existing bridge handles more than 90,000 vehicles a day – which far outstrips its original capacity.
An economic impact assessment, carried out by Gifford and Partners, found that the new bridge would relieve up to 90 per cent of traffic flow on the existing bridge and would generate benefits for the region’s economy.
These would include more than 3,000 permanent jobs, a ?90million increase in local commercial property values, 57,000 square metres of new commercial floor-space and an average five per cent increase in house prices.
Plans for the new bridge have existed for 10 years and the Mersey Crossing Group has now secured Super Work in Progress status for the project – a further step towards bringing it to fruition.
But the regional assembly is worried that the scheme could be dropped – and has contrasted the situation with the Thames Gateway bridge, backed by the Greater London Assembly and Mayor Ken Livingstone which has secured a ?383 million funding package.
Coun Tony McDermott, Mersey Crossing Group chairman said: “This is undoubtedly the most important major infrastructure project in the whole North West.
“If the Department for Transport chose not to support our plea in the same way they did the capital’s latest bridge, thousands of additional jobs could be lost.”
Warrington has suffered increased traffic misery while work has been carried out on the Runcorn-Widnes bridge, resulting in lane closures and it is recognised that an additional river crossing would divert thousands of vehicles away from the town.
Bulgarian MP visits
development agency
by John Hendon
A BULGARIAN MP visited the Warrington headquarters of the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
Remzi Osman, chairman of the local self-government, regional policy and urban development committee at the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, visited the headquarters at Centre Park.
He met NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead to gain his experience as Bulgaria considers the introduction of its own regional development agencies.
Steven said: “I am very pleased to welcome Remzi Osman to the NWDA. His visit highlights the importance placed on the agency’s work.
“The NWDA is committed to the development and regeneration of the Northwest and I am only too happy to share my experiences to aid the introduction of regional development agencies in Bulgaria,” he added.
Mr Osman has also had talks with Warrington Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Cheshire and Warrington Business Link.
Worries over pay
and display parking
by staff reporter
TRADERS and library staff in Lymm, near Warrington, are concerned about plans to introduce a pay and display scheme in the three car parks in the village centre.
Lymm Parish Council had previously agreed with plans by Warrington Borough Council to introduce a patrolled pay and display system in the car parks, to free up spaces for shoppers by limiting long-stay users.
Following representations from people who work in the village, the plans may be changed to allow free long stay car parking in the Davies Way car park. Drivers using the car parks in Pepper Street and Henry Street would have two hours free parking, and pay if they wanted to stay longer.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said: “Some of the people who work in the shops and library were unhappy about having to pay for parking.
“Some of them only work part-time and are on low wages, so having to pay for parking would take a large slice of their income.”
She said councillors were concerned about reaching a compromise between keeping spaces free for shoppers and meeting the needs of traders. She said anyone with any opinions about the parking issue should contact Warrington Borough Council with their views.
Warehousing plan
is thrown out
by Lesley Wilkinson
PLANS to convert part of a farm at Appleton, near Warrington into a warehouse have been turned down on appeal as the inspector ruled it would mean over-development in a Green Belt area.
The application, for Oaklegh Lodge Farm, Barleycastle Lane, had been recommended for refusal by Warrington Borough Council planners.
The appeal inspector refused the application as it was not in keeping with local plans for the area, would mean further sprawl of the built up area and encroachment on the countryside.
The inspector also said there was sufficient land allocated for employment in the town and there was no evidence of a shortfall of warehousing land.
Club bouncers to come
under national control
by staff reporter
CLUB and pub bouncers are to come under the regulation of a new national body – and Town Hall chiefs at Warrington want to make sure this does not lead to a reduction in standards.
Registration of door supervisors has made clubs and pubs safer in Warrington, according to council officers.
They are concerned that the high standards are maintained, when the responsibility for licensing door supervisors passes from the council to the national Security Industry Authority.
In a report to licensing and strategic policy chiefs, officers say the council registration scheme has worked well in Warrington for many years.
While they welcome the introduction a new national scheme, to be introduced in Warrington by November 15, under the Private Security Industry Act, they are anxious that the current high standards are maintained.
A council spokesman said: “Officers are anxious to work closely with the SIA and the police to ensure high standards, making use of local knowledge where appropriate.”
