Poison gas warning
after trailer stolen
by staff reporter
POLICE have issued a warning about hazardous substances after an articulated trailer was stolen from a haulage depot near Warrington.
The trailer, laden with 32 half tonne bags of aluminium dross in granule form, disappeared from the Barleycastle Industrial Estate at Appleton.
It was a blue, curtain-sided trailer with the name “JW Corry and sons Ltd” on the side.
A police spokesman said: “We believe it will be impossible for the thieves to dispose of the material because of the tight regulations covering the sale of this type of aluminium.
“It becomes toxic and inflammable when in contact with water and can give off a toxic gas if it comes into contact with acids or alkalis.”
Anyone who finds the bags is asked to contact the Environment Agency on 0800 807 060 and anyone with information about the stolen trailer is asked to contact DS Adrian Priest at Warrington Police on 01244 614880.
College is “jewel
in the crown”
WARRINGTON’S Priestley College was described as one of the jewels in the town’s “educational crown” by the guest speaker at the annual awards ceremony.
Prof Tim Wheeler, principal of University College, Chester, was guest of honour at the ceremony at the Loushers Lane campus and handed out certificates and prizes to students.
He praised the performance of students, commenting on the range of their achievements both in and out of the classrooom.
Some 19 students were awarded prizes for their work and performance during the year. Many have now moved onto the next stage of their career or education, and enjoyed the opportunity to meet former fellow students at the event.
In his annual report, college principal Michael Southworth, said the wide range of activities students had taken part in and congratulated them on their performance in achieving the highest pass rate at GCE advanced level that the college had ever had.
As well as examination success, students also had achieved the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, and represented county and country in sports, and achieved recognition in prestigious national science competitions.
Girl band joins
fight against crime
by Gary Skentelbery
Girl band ‘Untouched’ are bringing their national tour to Lymm to help youngsters make informed decisions about drugs and crime.
Helen, Karis and Emily are on a mission to spread the Crimestoppers message and hope to reach hundreds of young people across the UK through music and dance. Next Wednesday ( Jan 19) they will spend the afternoon with pupils at Lymm High School.
Crimestoppers Youth Projects are working with the band to deliver positive, healthy lifestyle messages and to challenge audiences to take responsibility for their actions. The aim is to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to make informed decisions about how to deal with issues such as drugs and crime in their local community.
The group will perform their original music and dance routines to pupils who will then have the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the charitable organisation.
‘Untouched’ will also be promoting the Crimestoppers hotline number: 0800 555 111 which anyone can call anonymously with information about crime.
Warrington’s School Liaison Officer, Mike Welsh, said: “This will be a fantastic opportunity to give young people an insight into the role they can play in tackling drugs and crime in their local community.”
Anyone with information about crime can contact Cheshire Police on: 01244 350 000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on: 0800 555 111.
‘Untouched’ have been together for four years and are touring nine Cheshire and Warrington schools in total during the week Monday January 17, to Friday 21st January 21.
?3.9m school rebuild
plan worries parents
by David Skentelbery
A ?3.9 million plan to rebuild the ageing Stockton Heath Primary School, near Warrington, is worrying parents, councillors have been told.
The proposals have been announced in advance of consultation with parents, school governors or staff, members of Stockton Heath Parish Council heard.
Parents were concerned about when the work would start, whether the new school would be built on the site of the old and what effect there would be on the pupils, the meeting was told.
The school has organised a special meeting for parents on February 3 – probably to be held at Bridgewater High School.
Coun Leslie Maurice, a governor at the school, said it was likely the new school would be built on the site of the old.
There would be consultation with the public, the parish council and other interested bodies, he said.
According to the borough council, the existing school buildings are in major need of repair and redevelopment.
In a statement the council said a 21st century vision for the school, put together by the borough council and the local community, would begin to become a reality soon and it was hoped the new buildings could be operational within three to four years.
However, the finer details about how to manage the day-to-day operations of the school, while ensuring the safety of pupils and staff during the redevelopment work, were still being put together.
Coun Maureen Banner, the borough council’s executive member for education said: “This is great news for Stockton Heath Primary School and its pupils, both present and future.
“A lot of hard work has been done by a number of people across the community to ensure funding became a reality. As part of our work to further strengthen our education provision across the borough we want to make sure our pupils have the facilities and opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills.”
Highways work will
cost ?373,000
by staff reporter
HIGHWAYS improvements costing ?373,000 are to be carried out on the A49 Winwick Road at its junction with Kerfoot Street, starting from Monday (January 17).
They will mean better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists – although while the work is going on there is likely to be traffic hold-ups.
Crossing points will be upgraded to allow pedestrians to cross the road on demand, improved cycling measures will be put into place and motorists will benefit from a renewal of signage and lighting.
Other improvements include:
Amendments to splitter islands.
Inspection/cleansing of existing highway drains and,Renewal of existing traffic signal equipment including the installation of new ducting for underground electrical cable and drawpit chambers.
The work is expected to take 16 weeks and will be carried out between 9.30am and 4pm. Resurfacing work, beginning in March, will be restricted to 7pm and 5am to minimise disruption.
Kerfoot Street and Longford Street will be closed during the resurfacing work with traffic to be diverted via Bewsey Road, Tanners Lane, Pinners Brow, Winwick Road and vice versa for the Kerfoot Street closure and Orford Lane, Winwick Road and vice versa for the Longford Street closure.
Public transport will not be affected by the works.
Celebrating at
the double
RYLAND’S Under 9’s A.R.L.F.C are celebrating at the double after being sponsored by Cockhedge Shopping Park and remaining unbeaten this season.
Team members marked the occasion by donating gifts to Cockhedge’s “Presents Under the Tree” campaign which saw over 1,000 items being donated to NCH (National Childrens Home).
Residents asked views
on new health centre
by John Hendon
LYMM residents are being asked their views to help determine the future provision of community-based health services in the village.
The consultation follows a decision by Warrington Primary Care Trust to build a new fit-for-purpose healthcare facility in the village.
The new centre – which will house community services like district nursing, health visitors, anti-natal classes and some children’s services – will replace Lymm Clinic, which the PCT is looking to sell.
The existing GP practices in Lymm will not be affected.
Dr Angela Lynch, Warrington PCT’s service deliver director said: “Lymm Clinic, which is owned by the PCT, delivers community services like midwifery and district nursing and health visiting. The clinic, a Victorian house, is in a poor state. It is unfit for delivering modern healthcare, has extremely limited parking and does not have easy access to the second floor.
“The new centre will resolve all of these issues, vastly improving both patient care and staff conditions.
“We are very keen to listen to residents’ views about the proposed changes and welcome the opportunity to discuss in detail the move.” The PCT is currently talking to developers about providing community health services at an alternative site, although no decision has yet been made on a location.
The new centre will be most likely built under the LIFT scheme, which looks to invest ?25m in building at least six new healthcare centres across Warrington over the next 20 years.
Anyone wishing to contact should contact the PCT’s head of patient and public involvement Jan Holding on 01925 843672 or email [email protected]
“Jerry Springer” salesman
targets local pensioners
by staff reporter
A WARNING has gone out to pensioners about a “Jerry Springer look-alike” claiming to work for Warrington Borough Council and trying to sell intercom systems.
The bogus salesman is apparently leading a team of men which has targeted Culcheth, near Warrington.
Trading Standards officers say the gang has no connection with the borough council at all.
The man – said to bear a strong resemblance to American TV personality Jerry Springer – has approached residents and offered to sell the intercom to eligible buyers, ie those over the age of 60, for a reduced rate of ?39, compared to the “normal” price of around ?89.
He had an ID badge, but it was crumpled up and he would not let consumers have a proper look at it. He was driving a grey Daewood car, but may also use other vehicles.
Coun Mike Hannon, the council executive member for community and wellbeing, said: “We are particularly concerned that these salesmen are targeting vulnerable people in our community using the trusted reputation of Warrington Borough Council.
“The best advice we can offer is to avoid buying products from the ‘doorstep’ and, if in doubt, contact Trading Standards for further help and information.”
Trading Standards spokeswoman Edwina Greenwood said: “Any person claiming to be working on behalf of the council would be able to show genuine identification and offer contact details. They would not be selling products from door-to-door.
“While we would recommend that consumers do consider fitting security products we do not recommend traders who cold call.”
News in brief
Holocaust Memorial
THE fifth Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on January 27 and to mark the occasion schools across Warrington will be taking part in various activities. A number of schools will be joining in an event hosted by Lymm High, where guest speakers include a survivor and son of a survivor of the holocaust who will talk to the pupils about their experiences.
Hospital lottery
THE weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital has resumed after a three-week break for the Christmas-New Year period. Winning numbers were 3, 4, 12 and 13 but the ?200 jackpot went unclaimed, which means next week’s top prize will be ?300. The ?25 consolation prize was won by Joanne.
Classroom plan
PLANS for an additional classroom and store at Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Selby Street, Warrington, have been submitted to the borough council’s planning department.
Car fire
AN electrical fault is believed to have started a fire which almost completely destroyed a Peugeot 205 deisel car parked in Edward Road, Great Sankey, Warrington during the night.
Housing refusal
PLANNING bosses have thrown out proposals for housing development on land in Bennett Avenue, Warrington.
Pedestrian crossings
WARRINGTON Borough Council is proposing to make orders to establish pedestrian crossings in Westbrook Crescent, Callands, Admirals Road, Birchwood, Booths Hill Road, Lymm and Birchall Street/Smithy Lane, Croft.
Skip blaze
A FIRE in a waste disposal skip at a house in Armour Avenue, Warrington spread to a garden fence before fire crews could reach the scene.
