?220,000 set aside to
keep winter roads clear
by David Skentelbery
THE borough council plans to grit more than a third of the roads in Warrington when ice or snow are forecast – and have allocated ?220,340 for the work.
But if the winter is a particularly severe one, spending could increase dramatically, Town Hall chiefs have been warned.
A winter service policy has been approved by the council’s executive board which will give priority to principal roads – other than motorways and motorway slip roads, which are the responsibility of the Highways Agency – major commuter routes which are also important bus routes, steep gradients where the traffic is heavy and roads serving secondary schools, hospitals, ambulance and fire stations.
Second gritting routes will be roads serving St Rocco’s Hospice, those serving industrial estates, roads with less than three buses an hour and roads serving primary school.
In addition, during periods of prolonged ice or snow, hand gritting and or snow clearing will be carried out in the town centre and at local shopping areas.
The council’s winter service policy statement is: “Warrington Borough Council aims to assist road users and pedestrians in adverse weather conditions, as far as is reasonably practicable, by providing a service to prevent ice and snow endangering the safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians.”
But the authority stresses that because of the scale and financial and other resources involved in providing the service it is not practically possible either to provide the service on all parts of the highway network, nor ensure running services are kept free of ice or snow at all times – even on the treated parts of the network.
The council carried out a major public consultation exercise to find out what people thought of last year’s service. But only six people responded – all expressing differing views on the priorities for treatment.
A council spokeswoman said: “The low response to the consultation is disappointing but could reflect that the people of Warrington would not change how the gritting routes are currently prioritised.”
Adopting a policy statement and having an operational plan ensures all possibilities are covered –and also helps the council defend itself in the event of claims for compensation relating to ice and snow, the executive board was told.
Students find their
basketball wheels
SPORTS Science students from Warrington’s Priestley College went into the unknown when they took part in a 90-minute introduction to wheelchair basketball.
Gordon Perry, the National Development Officer for the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association visited the college to put the students through their paces.
Gordon led three groups through a range of exercises and also offered detailed information about the sport including rules and regulations and wheelchair safety.
Although the workshops were light hearted and aimed at enjoyment there was a serious message to portray concerning the day-to-day aspects of life in a wheelchair.
Wheelchair basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and after learning the basics the students soon found what it was like to play one of the world’s most demanding sports – but this time on wheels.
Sports Science tutor Kathy Yates who organised Gordon’s visit said, “The students enjoyed themselves while in his company and took a lot from the sessions. I think they soon realised how tough it can be moving a chair around a court using only their upper body strength.”
Youth attacked in
street with bottle
by John Hendon
POLICE are hunting a gang of youths who attacked a youth near The Woodlands Hotel, in Liverpool Road, Great Sankey near Warrington.
The victim was walking along Liverpool Road when he was approached by a gang of about four youths.
There was a struggle and he was hit with a bottle, suffering a serious injury.
Afterwards, the offender was seen to walk along Liverpool Road and catch a bus heading for Warrington town centre.
Police say he was aged 17-18, of broad build and about six feet tall.
Anyone who witnessed the attack or who has any information about it is asked to contact DC Gary Massey on 01244 613834.
Developer refuses to
replace “eyesore” fence
by David Skentelbery
DEVELOPERS have refused to replace a 6ft high “eyesore” fence which has infuriated nearby residents at Lymm, near Warrington.
Antler Homes have told a local councillor they will not consider replacing the fence – and do not consider it to be an eyesore.
A storm broke when the white steel fence was erected around wooded land at the junction of Rushgreen Road and Sandy Lane, near the Farmer’s Arms pub.
Nearby residents dubbed it “the Iron Curtain of Lymm” and local councillors Sheila Woodyatt and Ian Marks both described it as a “monstrosity”.
Antler own the site, but in November 2002 were refused permission to build 13 houses and four flats there. The inspector who conducted a public inquiry said the proposed development would have “a materially adverse effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area because of the loss of openness”.
Residents claimed the developer had put up the offence to deliberately antagonise the local community which had opposed their proposals.
Now Coun Woodyatt (Pictured) has written to neighbours informing them that she wrote to the company asking them if they replace the fence with a mesh one which would be less visually intrusive.
She received the reply: “A great deal of time and effort went into the decision on the type of fence to erect. We decided upon this fencing because if offered the most security. It was very expensive and we do not consider it to be an eyesore. We cannot therefore consider replacing it.”
Coun Woodyatt said: “This is obviously not very helpful and I think it extremely unlikely the company will ever be reasonable. I will now see if there is any legislation which might help us.”
A spokesperson for Antler Homes said: “It is important for us to establish that this is a private piece of land and we are aware of our responsibilities as owners.
“It is important to make the land safe and protect it from misuse. We regret that our actions have aroused anger or caused any upset.”
Plan to replace
bungalow with house
by John Hendon
PLANNING chiefs are to visit the cleared site of a former bungalow in Heath Lane, Croft near Warrington, before deciding whether plans for a house can go ahead on the plot.
Nearby residents have objected to the scheme on the grounds that the new property would be only five feet from the lounge window of one of an existing dwelling causing a loss of light and the proposed house would be excessive height, out of character with the area.
They claim the house would “overpower” existing bungalows on either side of the site and would have a harmful effect on the Green Belt due to being visible from nearby fields and footpaths.
Planning officers say as the house would replace an existing building, only demolished a short time ago and as such would not add to the surplus of housing land in the borough.
They believe it would be acceptable from a Green Belt perspective.
?25,000 grant
for beauty spot
by Lesley Wilkinson
A GRANT of ?25,535 has been made for improvement works at Ackers Pit, Stockton Heath, near Warrington.
Clerk Peter Briggs told Stockton Heath Parish Council the grant had been approved from Warrington Borough Council’s Environmental Improvement Fund.
He said the parish council and Warrington Anglers Association had each agreed to contribute ?2,500 to the scheme. He said a report on the levels of contamination in the pit was to be undertaken before improvements go ahead.
Ackers Pits is one of the parish’s main beauty spots, drawing hundreds of a
nglers and picnickers in the summer months.
