“Gross and obvious” danger
of canal-side lane where
tragic teenagers died
by David Skentelbery
A CORONER has called for action on a “gross and obvious danger” on a country lane where two teenagers drowned after their car plunged into a canal at Warrington.
Cheshire coroner Nicholas Rheinberg had heard that highways safety work was prioritised on a criteria based on the number of accidents.
He said: “I think the concept of risk assessment is worthy of consideration. To have a very dangerous bend on a narrow road immediately next to a canal is almost an accident waiting to happen and just because there has not been a fatality does not lessen the risks.” Verdicts of death due to misadventure were recorded at an inquest at Warrington on Gemma Biggin, 17, and Stephen Abbott, 17, who died in the tragedy in Stockton Lane, Grappenhall, Warrington on November 28, last year.
The inquest heard that Stephen had only passed his driving test two weeks previously and that post mortem tests showed traces of ecstasy and cannabis in his blood.
But expert opinion was that the levels were relatively low and he had probably taken the drugs the previous day or earlier. It was not clear if they would have impaired his ability to drive.
The inquest heard that Gemma, from Grappenhall and Stephen, from nearby Houghton Green, had gone out for a drive with two other friends, Jake Edwards and Anthony Bond. All were students at Priestley College, Warrington.
At the blind, left-hand bend in Stockton Lane, Stephen appeared to “over-steer” to the left and then try to correct himself.
Rear-seat passengers Jake and Anthony Bond both thought he tried to use the hand-brake as he lost control of the car, a Fiat Punto. But the car overturned and plunged into the adjacent Bridgewater Canal.
Jake and Anthony managed to escape after smashing a rear window as the car sank.
The inquest heard how passing taxi driver Philip Reading dived into the canal to try and release Gemma and Stephen. Two police officers, PC Derek Arnold and PC Andrew Doran also plunged into the water.
But the doors was stuck in mud and even though a Landrover was used to try and pull the car into a position when the doors could be opened it was half-an-hour before the couple could be released.
Gemma was found to be dead at hospital and Stephen died the following day despite desperate attempts to save him.
Police accident investigation officer PC Steve Binns said tyre marks indicated the car had entered the bend at less than the maximum “safe” speed of 30mph. There was nothing to indicate the hand-brake had been used although when the car was recovered from the canal the brake was found to be half-on.
If it had been used it could have caused the vehicle to become unstable. Tyre marks indicated it had slid sideways while the wheels were still rotating and done a “barrel roll” into the canal. It appeared the driver had over-reacted when attempting to correct an over-steer to the left.
The inquest heard that police records showed there had been five accidents in Stockton Lane since 2000 – one of which involved a vehicle going into the canal.
But after the hearing, Gemma’s father, local parish councillor Mike Biggin, claimed 16 vehicles had gone into the canal at the same spot in five years and countless others before that.
He said: “The local authority highways department say they review road safety issues across the borough annually. How can it happen, then, that 16 vehicles have gone into the Bridgewater Canal and yet the simple remedy of erection of safety barriers has not been deemed necessary?”
Mr Biggin said his daughter was vehemently opposed to drugs and would have been angry with Stephen. But he had not intended harming himself or anyone else. He had simply made a mistake .
“Gemma was a friend of Stephen and would want us to forgive him. This we do. By all accounts he was a kind and loving person.”
Stephen’s mother, Mrs Teresa Abbott said: “He was driving carefully. If there had been a crash barrier he might have been injured but he and Gemma would not have drowned. We only hope we are not now going to sit back and do nothing.”
The inquest heard the stretch of road did not meet the criteria for crash-barriers. After the tragedy it had been temporarily closed and was still closed while consideration was given to finding a permanent solution.
The coroner commended the police officers and taxi driver who risked their own lives trying to save the youngsters. He said he would be writing to the appropriate authorities calling for action.
Town hit by decline
in business start-ups
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON has suffered the biggest fall-off in new business start ups in the North West, a new survey has revealed.
While the slowing economy has resulted in the number of small business start-ups falling by 20 per cent over the past year across England and Wales, the fall in Warrington was 40 per cent.
The figure is particularly disappointing as the North West as a whole bucked the national trend with a fall of only 17 per cent.
New figures from Barclays reveal that 197,100 new firms started up in the first six months of the year, compared to 246,400 in the same period in 2004.
John O’Hanlon, small business director for Barclays in the North West, said: “Last year was a phenomenal year for the number of new businesses seen and it would have been difficult to sustain those volumes in the longer term.
“We must also remember it is not merely a case of starting a new business, but ensuring those businesses go on to be a success.” Barclays have teamed up with entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, of BBC2’s Dragon’s Den, to provide tips in business start up and survival.
These discuss issues such as getting started, attracting customers, business planning and naming a company.
Information about the business tips can be found at www.barclaysbusinesstips.co.uk
A police station
in the library!
by staff reporter
A NEW chapter has opened in the history of policing in Culcheth, near Warrington- at the library.
Three members of the local police Community Action Team (CAT) are now working from Culcheth Library as well as from the police station in Risley.
They are Community Support Officer Steve Dodd, PC Alex Hill and PC Neil Gallagher – the village’s dedicated police officers.
Visitors to the library will be able to meet the officers, report crime and receive crime reduction advice at the same time as browsing the book shelves.
But at times when the officers are out on patrol, or off duty, information will be available to inform them of the next date and time the officers will be there.
PCSO Dodd said: “The library is in the centre of the village and is easily accessible for anyone who wants to get in touch with us and we have access to a room if anyone wants to speak to us in private about a particular issue.”
Librarian Karen Poolton added: “We are pleased to welcome the local police officers to the library and work in partnership with them to provide a valuable service to the community.”
Inspector Steve Precious said: “We have listened to Culcheth residents who say they want their police officers to be visible and easily accessible. Having officers working from the library as well as the police station is a significant step forward enabling residents to access policing services at a place that is convenient for them.”
The CAT covering the Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft area can be contacted on the following non-emergency number which is linked to an answer ‘phone: 0845 458 6390, or alternatively by e-mail: [email protected]
Health warning
after farm raid
by staff reporter
POLICE have issued a health warning after thieves raided a farm at Hollins Green, near Warrington.
The o
ffenders went to a field planted with sprouts and stole a large quantity.
But the crop had only just be sprayed with two insecticides which could prove harmful if taken in quantity or even through contact.
The insecticides were Daces and Hallmark ? both products used commonly in agriculture.
A police spokesman said: ?Anyone who has been in contact with these sprouts should seek medical advice urgently.?
New parents’ support
group to be launched
by Lesley Wilkinson
A UNIQUE project that provides support to young runaways and their families is launching a Parents Support Group in Warrington.
The Talk..Don’t Walk project launches the group during the sixth national Parents’ Week from Wednesday October 19 to Wednesday October 26, with the theme of Real Stories.
The launch, open to everyone, will be at The Gateway on Tuesday October 25, from 6pm to 7pm. Anyone interested in attending should contact organisers The Relationships Centre on 01925 246910.
Pam Skelham, director of services at The Relationships Centre, said: “It is an ideal opportunity for us to bring together the parents on our project to re-enforce to them that they are not alone, there are other people out there that have experienced or are experiencing the same problems and issues with their own children and teenagers.”
She said the Real Stories theme will encourage parents to talk about their own situation and experiences and help them gain support.
“As well as an open forum for parents to discuss their own issues, we have identified some common themes of our own that can cause conflict within the family home such as the setting of boundaries and we will also be giving advice and guidance on the evening as well,” said Pam.
It is expected the forum’s will be held regularly and the debate continued on the website www.talkdontwalk.org.uk
Regulars will join
old soldiers on parade
by Lesley Wilkinson
WARRINGTON will be the venue this weekend for a gathering of hundreds of old soldiers for one of the main events in The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment’s annual calendar.
Serving soldiers from the Regiment’s 1st Battalion, currently based in Cyprus, will join members of the Regimental Association and other members of the regimental family for reunion events and commemorative services.
The programme will end on Sunday with a Parade of Veterans and the annual Lancashire Joint Civic Reception.
The town became important to the regiment in October 1938 when members of The South Lancashire Regiment paraded in Warrington, their Regimental Town, to unveil the regimental memorial to those of their comrades who fell in World War 1.
Every year since then former and serving soldiers of the South Lancashire Regiment and, latterly, its successor the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, have gathered for a series of events, known as the October Revolution.
In recent years it has also included Lancashire’s Joint Civic Reception for its county regiment, this year hosted by 39 of the county’s civic authorities.
This year’s gathering is likely to be the last in the present form, as The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment is scheduled to amalgamate with the Kings and Kings Own Royal Border Regiments during 2007.
Following a traditional hot pot supper on Saturday, members of the regiment will join on Sunday morning with 30 of Lancashire’s civic leaders for the annual Service of Remembrance at the Regimental Chapel in the Parish Church of St Elphin.
Before the service the Standards of the Regimental Association are paraded and then dressed with laurel leaves by lady members of the association. The standards will then be laid on the altar.
Afterwards the civic leaders will gather at the Saluting Base as the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Geoffrey Sheldon, and the Mayor of Warrington, Coun Hans Mundry, take the salute when the Parade of Veterans marches past. Led by the Kings Division Normandy Band, the parade will culminate at the Parr Hall, Warrington, for the Joint Civic Reception.
