Council loses battle
over roadstone plant
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall bosses have lost a battle to block plans for a controversial roadstone plant at Antrim Road, off Hawleys Lane, Warrington.
A government-appointed inspector who conducted a public inquiry into the scheme has ruled that Tarmac Ltd can press ahead with the scheme.
The borough council had appointed consultants to represent the authority at the hearing, at a cost of about ?15,000, because the development control committee had refused planning permission against the advice of their professional officers.
It was felt the council’s own officers would have difficulty in putting forward an argument they had disagreed with.
The council argued that additional traffic using the junction of Hawleys Lane, Long Lane and the A49 Winwick Road would be unacceptable and a report on the hearing says the case was fought vigorously.
But the barrister who represented the council say the argument that any increase in traffic was unacceptable stood no chance of being accepted.
He says the council was fortunate not to have costs awarded against it.
During the hearing, Coun Albert Clemow claimed even a small increase in traffic would be the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” But this was not accepted by the inspector.
Village “needs
pub watch scheme”
by staff reporter
A “PUB Watch” scheme should be established in Stockton Heath, because of the large number of pubs and other licensed premises in the village.
This is the view of the borough council’s licensing officer, Val Atherton, who attended a meeting of the Parish Council to explain this year’s changes to the licensing regulations.
She was responding to the concerns of councillors about the growing number of late night problems arising from the increasing numbers of licensed premises in the village.
Mrs Atherton said a “Pub Watch” scheme was proving successful in Warrington.
“I think a similar scheme in Stockton Heath would be a good thing, in view of the number of licensed premises,” she said.
The changes in licensing legislation will mean that in future there will be two kinds of licence – premises licences which will normally remain in force for the life of the building, a personal licences which licensee’s will take around with them wherever they move.
Licence holders would have to apply by August 6 for their existing licences to be changed. If they failed to do so, premises would not be able to open for the sale of alcohol.
Male voice choir’s
tribute to St George
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON’S award-winning Male Voice Choir presents a celebration of St George’s Day, ‘This England’, on Saturday, April 23.
Choir secretary, Ian Scholes, said the performance in the Parr Concert Hall marked the choir’s “continuing quest for National Pride”.
He said: “Over the years we have been conscious that, while other parts of the UK go to great lengths to celebrate their Patron Saint, England has consistently fallen behind.
“We feel the time is overdue to reverse this trend. And the town’s renowned musical asset is to lead the way.”
The 100-strong choir will be joined by prize-winning Adlington Folk Dancers, international concert pianist, Ingrid Surgenor and European tenor, Thomas Schulze, star of “Phantom of the Opera”.
Tickets, ?8, from Mr Scholes, 01925-574800. The concert will help fund charity presentations by the choir.
Fairtrade fashion show’s
sell out success
by Gary Skentelbery
CUSTOMERS at the Fairtrade stall on Warrington Market volunteered their services for a fund-raising fashion show at the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton.
The Fair 4 All Fairtrade Fashion Show was part of the Global Week of Action for Trade Justice and was a sell out success attedned by 300 people. Around 30 models of various ages, took to the cat walk wearing fair trade clothing.
Main organiser Hilary Thomson said: “Many of the clothes are made from organic cotton and are all fairly traded. This means the producers have had a fair wage and good working conditions. Sadly this is not always the case with garments sold in High Street stores.”
After the modelling their were two short sketches highlighting the benefits of Fairtrade.
Items modelled included sportswear, casual, smarter outfits and some garments with a more ethnic feel, modelled by a variety of age groups from 5-55.
There was also a complimentary display of jewellery, accessories and toiletries.
Sports club
open day
by staff reporter
AN open day is being held at Culcheth Sports Club, near Warrington on Sunday May 15 – to give local people an opportunity to find out what the club has to offer.
The club in Charnock Road – formerly the Daten Club – will be putting its facilities on show.
Activities available include tennis, mini tennis, outdoor bowling, croquet, French Boules, soccer, table tennis, indoor bowling, chess, Scottish County Dancing, drama, etc.
Visitors will be able to try the various sporting and other activities available and members from most sections will be on hand to provide the equipment necessary.
A club spokeswoman said: “Participants must wear suitable footwear if they want to try out one of the sports.”
Entry to the club will be free.
St George’s Day
parade route
by staff reporter
PREPARATIONS are being made for the annual St George’s Day parade through the centre of Warrington on Sunday, April 24.
The borough council has made an ordered prohibiting traffic from using roads along with the parade will pass for two 15 minute periods between 2pm and 4.30pm.
Roads affected are Sankey Street, Market Gate, Buttermarket Street, Fennel Street and Church Street
This will allow the procession to move from the Town Hall to the Parish Church.
Alternative routes will be signposted along Fennel Street, Brick Street and the A57 to Manchester Road. Pedestrian routes will not be affected.
Busy road to be
closed all day
by staff reporter
SECTIONS of Wilderspool Causeway in Warrington will close tomorrow (Sunday) and next Sunday (April 24) to allow contractors to complete essential works on the busy stretch of road.
Tomorrow, the northbound carriageway will be closed from 8am to 5pm to finalise resurfacing works to the road.
Next Sunday, the southbound carriageway will be closed during the same times and for the same reason.
The aim of the two daylong closures is to reduce impact on traffic during busy periods and to minimise disruption.
A diversion route will be signposted. It involves Wilderspool Causeway, London Road, Grappenhall Road, Chester Road, Knutsford Road, Higher Knutsford Road, Thelwall Lane, Kingsway South, Kingsway North, Manchester Road, Church Street, Mersey Street and vice versa.
Steve Moorhouse of the borough council’s Environment Directorate, said: “We have planned these works carefully so they are carried out at off peak times so that we minimise the impact of the scheme on the travelling public, however, we apologise for any inconvenience these essential works may cause.”
News in brief
Car fire
FIRE crews were called to Bewsey Street, Warrington, during the night when an abandoned car was set alight. The vehicle – believed to have been stolen – was burned out. Police are investigating.
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.
Speed limit
WARRINGTON Borough Council proposes to make an order reducing the speed limit on the 40mph stretch of the A5080 Farnw
orth Road, Penketh, to 30mph, as a result of concern from the police and local residents about the high speed of vehicles using the road. Objections must reach the council solicitor, Howard Norris, by May 5.
Cafe refusal
PLANNERS have refused permission for the change of use of a vacant hairdressing salon in Clay Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington, to a cafe and sandwich delicatessen.
Swimming pool
PLANS for a swimming pool and conservatory at the rear of a house in Culcheth Hall Drive, Culcheth, Warrington have been approved by the borough council.
