Motorway pile-up
averted by
“pure chance”
by David Skentelbery
A SERIOUS motorway accident was averted by pure chance when a 280 meter length of cable fell from a bridge, became entangled in the rear axle of a lorry and was dragged along the carriageway, Warrington Crown Court was told.
The lorry driver realised something was wrong, but before he could stop, a heavy wooden drum at the end of the cable was pulled over the bridge parapet and crashed down onto the motorway, the court heard.
A workman, who instinctively tried to grab the drum and stop it being pulled from the bridge, suffered a fractured finger and cuts to three other fingers.
The incident occurred on the M56 eastbound carriageway close to its junction with the M6 near Warrington in July 2003 during installation of automatic number plate recognition cameras.
Recorder Steven Everett said: “It was astonishing there were no other injuries. It doesn’t bear thinking about what could have happened if the drum had hit a vehicle. It could easily have ended up as a multiple pile-up.”
PJ Musgrave Electrical Ltd., of Matlock, Derbyshire, admitted three offences of failing to carry out adequate risk assessments or having an adequate method statement under Health and Safety at Work regulations.
The company was ordered to pay ?50,000 made up of ?15,000 fines and ?35,000 costs.
Mr Recorder Everett said the fines would have been much higher had a larger company been involved.
“Nobody wants to put the company out of business. It is a genuine company – not a cowboy operation,” he said.
He had been told the firm had a ?280,000 overdraught, had made a net profit of ?100,000 last year and was “just viable.” It employed 50 people.
Nigel Lawrence, prosecuting, said when the Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident they discovered the company had not carried out adequate risk assessments in respect of their own employees, nor the public and had not prepared an adequate method statement for communication between people working on the site.
The workforce had been left to improvise on site.
David de Jehan, defending, said the company had a previously impeccable safety record. A risk assessment might not, in fact, have prevented the incident as the company had not expected its employees to be feeding the cable down onto the busy motorway from the bridge. They had immediately issued instructions that it should never be done again.
Students get low-down
on flight training
HIGH-flying students from Warrington’s Priestley College mingled with RAF instructors and trainee pilots during an educational visit to RAF Cosford.
The 12-strong party from the college’s aviation and potential officers’ course were guests of Birmingham University’s Air Squadron.
They were briefed on RAF flight training, then toured the hangars and a Grob Tutor trainer, before visiting the control tower.
Students also visited the RAF museum, housing fighter aircraft from the Cold War period, including the Lightning and Vulcan bomber.
Ann Ibbetson, an 18-year-old Priestley student, said: “Life at the University Squadron seems very exciting. I will definitely be applying to join”.
Priestley runs a potential officers’ and aviation course, with several students learning to fly with Shropshire Aero Club. Visits are planned to the Air Atlantic Open Day, Coventry Airport, and the RAF show at Waddington, near Lincoln, in July.
By-election boost
for Lib Dems
by David Skentelbery
THE Liberal Democrats in South Warrington received a pre-election boost when they won a parish council by-election at Great Sankey.
Liberal Democrat Lorna Lewis polled 406 compared with 288 for Labour’s Les Street and 81 for Independent Duncan Peters.
After the result was declared, Lorna Lewis said: “I’m delighted with the win and I’m really looking forward to looking after the interests of people in the area.
” I’m especially interested in the environment and would love to do something about the litter and untidiness in our parks and green open spaces.”
Parish Council chairman Coun Roy Smith added: “This is a great result and shows people appreciate the way we have turned the council round in the last 10 months since we’ve been in control. It was a mess before, but now there’s a new enthusiasm to tackle local problems and improve our area.”
Coun Ian Marks, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South commented: “I know Lorna and she will make an excellent councillor. This is a good omen for the forthcoming general election with the Lib Dems winning a clear victory over Labour. “The Tories chickened out of this election and couldn’t even bother to put up a candidate. We are the real alternative to Labour in Warrington.”
?46,000 boost for
community centre
by John Hendon
A THRIVING Warrington community centre has won a ?46,380 boost – thanks to a grant made possible by Landfill Tax credit.
The money will fund a make-over at Westy Community Centre, including improvements to the bar/lounge and kitchen areas and providing additional community facilities.
Local people will have access to a wider range of activities, including learning opportunities, youth sessions, health promotion activities, facilities for meetings and a community cafe.
The money will come from Waste Recycling Group Ltd, administered by Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN) and third party funding provided by Westy Sure Start.
Tommy Wallace, head of service for housing, protection and community, said: “This grant is great news for Westy Community Centre and the new facilities will be of great benefit to the local community and I hope that people will make the most of them.”
Work will start in September with the new facilities opening in late October.
Ram-raid at
bowling centre
by John Hendon
POLICE have revealed more details of an attempted “ram raid” at Warrington’s LA Bowl leisure centre last week.
As reported by Warrington-Worldwide, an attempt was made to break into the building at Winwick Quay, Warrington in the early hours of March 31.
A green Range Rover and a Volvo Estate car, believed to have been red, arrived in convoy around 4am.
The Range Rover, which had been stolen on Merseyside, was reversed into the shuttered main entrance of LA Bowl. Considerable damage was caused but the raiders failed to break through and eventually fled in the Volvo, empty handed.
Police are seeking witnesses of the incident or information about the Volvo. Anyone who can help is asked to contact PC Anna Last on 01925 652222.
England goalkeeper
flags up championship
by staff reporter
ENGLAND Women’s goalkeeper Rachel Brown will make an appearance at Warrington Wolves’ home game with Bradford Bulls tomorrow (Sunday) – to flag up Wolves’ involvment with this year’s UEFA European Women’s Championship.
Rachel will lead the Warrington Town Under 10s team around the pitch, carrying the Women’s Euro 2005 Trophy at the half-time interval.
The Halliwell Jones Stadium will be hosting the Group B games and a semi final of the UEFA Women’s Championship in June.
Group B consists of Germany, France, Italy and Norway.
Rachel Brown plays for Everton, who she joined on her return to England in January 2003 after completing a football scholarship in the United States.
She studied at the University of Pittsburgh and played for the Pittsburgh Panthers, while she studied for a degree in physiotherapy, having transferred from Alabama College in 2000.
During her four years in America, she was named Goalkeeper of the Year for the Eastern Conference every year, and she holds the University record for the least goals conceded in a season.
One of Rachel’s earlier career highlights was as one of the youngest players – at 15 years old – to take part in the 1996 FA Wom
en’s Cup Final on behalf of Liverpool where the match went to penalties.
Having played eight matches at Under 18 level, Rachel proved her potential when she appeared as a last minute replacement in the England Senior team and helped them qualify for the 2001 UEFA European Women’s Championships in November 2000.
After starting off the 2003-04 season well she suffered a serious injury which kept her out for most of the season.
The games that will taking place at The Halliwell Jones Stadium are: Group B: Monday June 6: Germany v Norway; Thursday June 9; France v Norway; Sunday: June 12 Germany v France.
Semi-final: Thursday June 16.
Candidate lashes out
over “baby bonds”
by Terry Johnson
A STINGING attack on Government “baby bond” hand-outs has been made by Ian Marks, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South.
The Chancellor’s promised cash windfall to 18-year-olds through a ?1.5bn Child Trust Fund was happening at a time when Labour was failing the town’s primary children, with 20 per cent leaving school unable to read, he said… Coun Marks declared: “A report from the town’s Education Select Committee has found an unacceptably high level of children have failed to reach the required standards of reading.
“One in five primary school-leavers cannot read. It is a great disappointment.
“We believe access to a quality education is a fundamental right of every child”.
Liberal Democrats wanted to lower infant class sizes to 20, juniors to 25 and recruit 20,000 more teachers.
“The money to lower primary school sizes will come from abandoning the Chancellor’s ?1.5bn Child Trust Fund, which is just a cash windfall to 18-year-olds at taxpayers’ expense”, said Coun Marks.
He added: “Children in Warrington will gain far more benefit from spending this money when it matters most – so every child gets the best possible start at school”.
Youth music talent
goes on show
by staff reporter
SOME of Warrington’s top young musical talent will be on display at Alford Hall, Manchester Road tonight (Saturday).
The show is being put together by GLR Productions as part of a fundraising campaign for the emergence of a new cancer centre – the John Holt Foundation.
Local singing sensation Lauren O’Donnell will be performing along with 14 year old guitarist Sam Barnett, girl band Jademic and “Want Me 2004” runner-up Kirsten Done.
During the evening members of GLR will be dancing and performing songs from their forthcoming wartime musical – I Will Come Home (May 12-14), with songs written specifically for the show by Lauren O’Donnell.
Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost ?4 with all the proceeds going to the Trust.
[ 13.04.2005, 08:56: Message edited by: DS ]
