Action group to fight
traffic “nightmare”
by David Skentelbery
AN action group is being set up to campaign for measures to end the “nightmare” caused by parking and “rat-running” in residential streets in Stockton Heath, near Warrington.
The move follows a lively debate involving residents of Arley Avenue, East Avenue and other streets near the village centre at the monthly meeting of Stockton Heath Parish Council.
Residents complained of traffic chaos, with pedestrians obstructed by cars parked on the pavement, doors banging and engines revving late at night, dangerous speeds and abuse from motorists.
June Bradley, of Arley Avenue, said her car had been damaged while parked outside her house. She was afraid to let her grandson out as he was at risk from speeding cars.
Often residents could not park outside their own homes because of motorists who parked there all day.
Complaints to the police and the borough council had been fruitless – and when she tried to ease the situation by making space to park her car off the road the council charged her ?1,000 to provide a dropped kerb.
The meeting was told the problems dated back 20 years when residents had offered to pay for speed humps but were told they could not have them unless there were six accidents in three years.
But the situation had now worsened, as a result of the re-development of the Victoria Buildings site and the introduction of pay and display charging on the Forge car park.
The idea for an action group came from Jim Pearson, who pointed out there were many streets in Stockton Heath suffering similar problems. Chapel Lane, Bedford Street, Orchard Street and Dundonald Avenue were mentioned.
“We need to consolidate and form an action group. The more people involved, the better. It may take time, but if enough pressure is brought to bear on the borough council something may eventually be done.”
Coun Celia Jordan said the parish council had warned the borough of the likely consequences for parking when the Victoria Buildings development was approved. Business was encroaching more and more on residential areas.
Coun Sonia Boggan said Stockton Heath needed a multi-storey car park, although finding space for one would be difficult. The lower end of the Forge car park was a possibility.
Clerk Peter Briggs said the action group should make suggestions which the parish council could then pass on to businesses who might be contributing to the problem and to the borough council.
The police were hoping to starting holding Community Action Meetings which had been successful in other areas and which could prove helpful in solving the problem.
Guards honour Mayor
by Gary Skentelbery
MEMBERS of Warrington Guards Association organised a unique fund-raising event in honour of one of their former comrades – Warrington’s Mayor Ted Lafferty.
The event at Grappenhall Ex-servicemen’s club raised over ?1,750 for the Mayor’s Charity appeal fund which is supporting the warrington Disability Partnership and Warrington Hospital’s League of Friends.
Members are pictured at the event with Association Chairman Jeff Greenwood, MD of North West Security Guards and the Mayor and Mayoress Coun ted and Mrs Pat Lafferty.
It was a busy night for the Mayor who was also guest of honour at the nearby Thelwall and Grappenhall British Legion Club, who also held a fund-raising event which raised in excess of ?800.
Sixty oppose plan for
residential home
by John Hendon
SIXTY people have signed a petition opposing a plan to convert a detached house at Padgate, Warrington, into a residential home for adults with learning difficulties.
A petition signed by 56 people objects on traffic safety grounds and four neighbours have written individual letters opposing the scheme in Green Lane.
They claim increased traffic and parking problems would worsen existing safety hazards on an already busy road and that the character of a historic house would be damaged.
There would also be the possibility of people with diminished social skills using an area where small children play.
The plan comes before Warrington’s development control committee next Wednesday with a recommendation for approval from planning officers.
They say the house is in spacious grounds, boarded by roads on either side and no extensions or significant external alterations are proposed. Although proposals for parking arrangements have not yet been submitted, a condition could be attached to the approval requiring this to be done.
The house currently has two parking spaces – and the proposed home would require two support staff during the day and evening hours.
Applicant Mr John Farragher says occupants would be assessed by the Care Standards Inspectorate to ensure the home was suitable for their needs. There would be no more traffic than for a family home.
He said there was a shortage of the type of service proposed, which would provide a valuable community facility.
Ex-Everton star to
start memorial match
by staff reporter
EX-Everton footballer Derek Mountfield will officially start the football match to be played as a memorial to Warrington police officer Jon Speakman this Sunday.
The match between Chester Nomads and Cheshire Police is to be played at Boughton Hall, Chester, with a 3pm kick off.
PC Speakman gave his life to save others caught in a rip tide at Spoon Bay, near Sydney, Australia, on January 29.
The officer, a constable at Stockton Heath and Warrington, was a keen football player and a passionate Everton fan. He was a qualified football coach, enabling him to coach juniors as part of ‘Hotshots’ Soccer School, in addition to captaining the Chester Nomads 2nd team.
Many former colleagues and senior officers from Cheshire Constabulary will be at the match.
An auction will be held to raise money for the Jonathan Speakman Forget-Me-Not fund in aid of Leukaemia Research. Donations for the auction are welcome.
Police will be holding a raffle, proceeds of which will go to the chosen charities.
PC Speakman’s father Don, a retired police constable said “Jonny loved football and I can’t think of a more appropriate way for his friends and colleagues to remember him. Any money raised will provide a fitting memorial to him, continuing to help others. Everyone is welcome to join us at the match to remember Jonny and cheer the teams on.”
For further information or to make a donation contact Eric Dean, Jon’s father in law, on (07720) 292723.
New network launched for
“creative industries
by business staff
A NEW network has been set up to help creative enterprises in Warrington and the rest of Cheshire develop their skills and grow.
The Creative Industries Support Project (CRISP) aims to provide the information creative businesses and individuals need, put them in touch with the support they want, develop networks that work for them and broker new relationships with providers of education, training and business support.
It is based at Mid Cheshire College, Northwich and is financed by the Learning and Skills Council.
CRISP can be contacted at 01606 720 557 or by email at [email protected]
The organisation claims there are more than 7,000 “creative thinkers” working in Warrington. As a result, the borough council’s economic development team has recently launched a Creative Industries Network.
The aim is to encourage companies of all sizes to meet with other creative industries and discover how they can benefit from regional and local initiatives. Anyone who would like to join the network contact Verity Deaville, Marketing Manager at Warrington Borough Council on 01925 715185 or email at [email protected]
News in brief
Allotment meeting
TWO members of Stockton Heath Parish Council, Coun Alan Loughlin and Coun Sonia Boggan, are to
meeting members of the Stockton Heath Allotment Holders Association to discuss proposals to improve the Red Lane allotments. Clerk Peter Briggs will also attend the meeting, called at the request of the allotment holders.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 2,6, 7, and 16. There was one winner of the ?494 jackpot and the ?25 consolation prize went to Sean Lappin.
Parking ban
WARRINGTON Borough Council proposes to make an order banning vehicles from parking near the junction of the A562 Warrington Road and Heath Road, Penketh follows concerns from a councillor and local residents about hazardous parking in both roads.
Spring Fair
STOCKTON Heath Scouts are to hold a spring fair at the Scout Hut in Parkgate Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington tomorrow (Saturday) at 1.30pm, in aid of Scout funds.
Disabled parking
DISABLED persons’ parking spaces are to be introduced in Alder Lane, Warrington following requests from a number of people, subject to an order being made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act. Objections should be sent to borough solicitor Howard Norris by May 5.
