Drivers ignore 20mph
school safety zones
by David Skentelbery
DRIVERS are ignoring 20mph speed limit zones designed to cut accidents around Warrington schools.
An initial analysis of the speeds of vehicles using roads around four schools selected for a pilot scheme at Warrington has shown that 85 per cent of drivers travel at speeds comparable with those before the zones were introduced in June last year.
Seven other zones are in the pipeline at schools with worrying accident records but if the schemes continue to prove ineffective, the project’s future will be in doubt.
The four schools where schemes have already been implemented are Cherry Tree Primary, in Hardy Road, Lymm, Great Sankey High, in Barrow Hall Lane, Great Sankey, Our Lady’s RC Primary, in Wash Lane, Latchford and Winwick Primary in Myddleton Lane, Winwick.
Eleven schools were originally chosen for 20mph zones in an experimental scheme designed to reduce the number of accidents involving children outside schools and encourage parents to allow their youngsters to walk to schools.
The schemes incorporate high visibility traffic signs, carriageway markings and road surface dressing treatments.
A Town Hall spokesman said initial analysis showed the measures had not been effective, with an “after” speed comparable to the “before” speed.
. In view of the results at the first four schools, illuminated traffic signs and variable message signs would be used on the next group of schemes to be implemented.
“Officers will assess the feasibility of introducing additional measures to enhance the schemes. Further consultation will be undertaken with schools, councillors and emergency services.
“If after the remedial measures the schemes are still ineffective there will be an overall review of the project and the future of such schemes will be addressed.”
Police do not operate speed enforcement in 20mph zones and say they should be self-enforcing.
Study of 100 million years
GEOLOGY students from Warrington?s Priestley College visited Cumbria to undertake a comprehensive study of the Sedgwick Geological Trail near Sedbergh.
The group used specialist mapping equipment and their knowledge gained from their college courses to determine the full geological history of the region during the course of more than 100 million years through the Silurian to Carboniferous ages.
They also learned about Adam Sedgwick – the founder of the trail – who was known as the “Father of Modern Geology” and was responsible for identifying one of the UK’s largest dent faults, which was responsible for shaping much of Cumbria’s current scenic views.
Students on the course are regularly encouraged to take part in hands on practicals and in July of this year visited Ingleborough in North Yorkshire when they completed a mapping exercise and geological analysis of that particular region.
Geology tutor Gillian Finucane said: “It was excellent for the students to experience the Cumbrian landscape at first hand and then be able to apply the skills they had learned in the classroom to a practical activity.
“As a group we look forward to our next outing, which I’m sure will be just as enriching.”
Locals will join
police on the beat
by Lesley Wilkinson
FIVE local people will join police officers on the beat in Whittle Hall, Warrington, to find out first hand about their work.
At the first Community Action Meeting (CAM) to be held in the area, residents said they were interested in finding out more about the issues affecting Whittle Hall. And the fearless five agreed to accompany Community Action Team officers on patrol.
Sgt Chris Unsworth, who led the CAM meeting, said 32 people attended and were happy to hear that action was being taken to sort out the problems affecting Whittle Hall.
He said: “A number of issues were discussed including speeding vehicles, graffiti, vandalism, and anti social behaviour. But the top priority they want us and our partner agencies to focus on is nuisance youths.
“The main area for us to target will now be Whittle Hall Park – particularly in the evenings when youths are gathering. This is when underage drinking and incidents of criminal damage tend to occur. We aim to carry out high visibility patrols in this location to disrupt their activity which should ultimately benefit residents.?
He said teams would get out on patrol early to confiscate alcohol from under-age drinkers. Residents often saw evidence in the morning of drinking, such as bags of cans and open bottles.
Action has already been taken to address some of the issues raised during the first CAT team walk, including a bench located off Kingsdale that was identified as a meeting point for troublesome youths, being removed. And faulty street lighting is to be replaced.
Blitz on fine dodgers
nets ?160,000
by John Hendon
A NEW blitz on fine dodgers at Warrington has resulted in fines totalling ?160,000 being dealt with ? of which ?15,000 was paid up-front by offenders.
Warrant enforcement officers and Community Action Team (CAT) officers successfully worked together for the third year running to recover outstanding money owed to the courts.
This time fine dodgers were warned to pay their outstanding fines or face arrest as part of the current campaign to ‘Crack Down’ on crime.
At the start of October, defaulters were given the chance to turn up at a bail surgery at the town’s magistrates court to pay their debts. Those that chose to ignore the warning soon found officers turning up at their home, or place of work.
Nearly 850 warrants were dealt with during the operation. Forty people were arrested and five have since received custodial sentences ranging from two weeks to two months.
Warrant enforcement officer Steve Darlington said: “This is the third time we have run this operation and the figures speak for themselves – these results are quite literally the best results we have had to date.
“Any remaining warrants are not left on the shelf and forgotten about. People need to realise that we will not go away and neither will their fines. They need to come forward to us so that we can help them resolve their situation. If not it could be their door we knock on next.”
Inspector Damien Smethurst added: “The majority of defaulters we have targeted received their fine as punishment because they had committed a crime. The issue of unpaid fines is taken very seriously and offenders need to stop thinking they can get away without paying what they owe.
“We will continue to work closely with the courts and plan to conduct similar operations in the future. Anyone who has an outstanding fine should pay it now, before a warrant is issued for their arrest.”
Top songwriter
coming to town
by Lesley Wilkinson
AN award-winning songwriter who was previously a Disney Corporation executive in LA with a parking spot next to Tom Hanks – is to present his one-man show in Warrington.
BA Robertson will share his stories of life in showbiz at the Pyramid Centre on Thursday November 3 with his autobiographical My Living Years, which was recently performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
It is an account of his career in show businesses, from his childhood in Glasgow to becoming a senior executive with Disney. It features songs that draw on his 30-year writing career that has netted him multiple Grammy nominations and over 70 silver, gold and platinum records.
His songwriting achievements include a collaboration with Mike and the Mechanics which produced the famous hit The Living Years, written when his father died 12 weeks before the birth of his son. Other achievements include Cliff Richard’s Carrie and Wired For Sound and his own hits of the 1970’s, Bang Bang, Kool in a Caftan and To Be Or Not To Be.
During his career he has worked with top musical artists including Burt Bacharach, Billy
Joel, Frida (Abba), Michael Crawford and Alex James (Blur). He was also commissioned by the BBC to compose the music for the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
Firework displays to
celebrate Gunpowder Plot
by staff reporter
THREE major firework displays are being organised by Warrington Borough Council to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.
All are open to all and admission is free.
The first event will be on Tuesday November 1 at Orford Park. There will be music from 6.30pm with the firework display starting at 7pm.
On Thursday November 3 there will be a display at Woolston Park, organised with financial support from Woolston Parish Council. There will be music and small children’s fair from 6pm, and a firework display from 7pm.
The third bonfire will be at Birchwood Forest Park on Saturday November 5, organised in partnership and with financial support from Birchwood Town Council. There will be music from 6.30pm and a firework display to music from 7pm.
Council chiefs advise that each venue has limited parking and urge visitors to walk to their nearest session.
People are also advised to wear suitable clothing and footwear and carry a torch. Visitors are not allowed to bring or light their own fireworks.
[ 27.10.2005, 08:16: Message edited by: DS ]
