Council urged to
fight power line
by David Skentelbery
PLANNERS at Warrington are being urged to oppose controversial proposals for an overhead power line passing through the borough.
Power Systems ? part of Scottish Power Manweb ? are seeking permission to erect a 132kv overhead line between Carrington and Lostock, crossing the east side of Lymm.
Lymm Parish Council has lodged objections ? as have local councillors Ian Marks and Sheila Woodyatt.
The scheme is not for determination by Warrington, as the application will ultimately be decided by the Department of Trade and Industry. But the borough is consulted and can make observations.
Officers are recommending there be no objections. But an out-of-town organisation, the Cann Lane Association, formed to protect the environment in the Great Budworth area and High Legh has lodged objections and put forward an alternative route for the power lane via Sankey Bridges.
Power Systems say the minimum cost of the Sankey Bridges option would be ?15.4 million, compared with ?7.5 million for the Lymm route.
They claim the power line is required to meet increased electricity demand in mid-Cheshire.
The plan was first submitted in 2003 when it sparked strong opposition in the Lymm area. It has been amended to avoid the Spud Wood area and land zoned for additional playing fields for Lymm High School.
But Coun Woodyatt said: ?We were consulted by Scottish Power earlier this year but our objections have been totally ignored.
?The proposed line runs through one of the most important green belt areas left in Lymm. There are several public footpaths which are very popular with rambled adjacent to the proposed route. The line will run very close to Helsdale Wood, an important nature site where we have several families of buzzards nesting.
?There are several alternative routes, one of which runs along an existing line and we were assured there would be a full appraisal of all the alternative routes. This has not happened and there has been no objective assessment of the other routes.
?We have written to the Secretary of State to ask for a public inquiry.?
Ex-servicemen receive
veterans’ badges
TEN ex-servicemen from the Warrington area have received Veterans? Badges following the extension of the scheme to include men and women who served between the two world wars or since.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones presented the badges at a ceremony at the Town Hall.
Earlier this year, the MP appealed to local people who were entitled to receive the badge to come forward.
Previously, only veterans who served in World War One or World War Two, or their war widows, qualified for the award.
Now those who served in the inter-war years and from 1945 to 1954 qualify.
Ms Jones is still encouraging anyone who qualifies to contact her office (01925 232 480) so she can ensure they receive the badge.
She said: “I know how much these badges mean to the brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our country in both World Wars and I am delighted that the scheme has been extended to include more veterans who served this nation so well in the interwar and post World War II years.”
Town centre’s festive
season under way
by staff reporter
TOWN centre Warrington?s month of festive fun got under way with the traditional Christmas Lights switch on.
Families wrapped up warm to join in the celebrations which included Dr and the Medics singing classic songs, an impromptu dancing performance from Mayoress Karen Mundry and appearances by Barney the Purple Dinosaur and, of course, Santa Claus.
Home-grown pop star Kerry Katona switched on the lights, appearing on stage with her children to join Mayor Hans Mundry and the Mayoress in wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.
A programme of family entertainment for the festive season now continues throughout the run-up to Christmas.
Leaflets setting out details are available from Warrington Market, Tourist Information, Libraries, Community Centres and Leisure Centres or alternatively information is available from the website www.welcometowarrington.com
Health visitor wins
national praise
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON health visitor has been highly commended for her “innovative practice” in helping homeless people access local health services.
Judith Lydon was praised by judges at the prestigious Nursing Times Awards ceremony in London.
In collaboration with other agencies and voluntary groups, the project reaches out to marginalised groups through a range of drop-in sessions to make sure they can access the services they need.
It also supports GPs and staff in other agencies deliver the right care.
The project was one of five nationwide to be entered into the finals of the ?Oscars of Nursing? in the category of Promoting Health in Your Community.
Judith, Warrington Primary Care Trust’s nurse specialist (homeless and asylum seekers), said: “I am delighted that the project has been recognised as doing vital work.
“In Warrington, increasing numbers of individuals and families are homeless or are living in poor accommodation, often unable access mainstream health services.
“There is also a growing population of asylum seekers who unfairly receive an unwelcome reception in society.
“The project reaches out to these groups through a number of drop-in clinics which provide a range of health services. These include health screening, health advice and referrals on to other services.
“I also work in partnership with GPs and a variety of agencies to ensure health is central to their overall needs and that front line staff get the right support.”
Business academy launch
for young entrepreneurs
by John Hendon
A NEW business academy for Warrington’s budding young entrepreneurs is being launched in the town today (Friday).
Warrington Collegiate will host the Warrington Business Academy in partnership with the Chester and Ellesmere Port Enterprise Agency, which runs the youngentrepreneurs.co.uk initiative – a comprehensive business support service incorporating a range of online facilities offering young people advice on starting or expanding a business.
The academy is primarily aimed at the Collegiate’s students but will have an open-door policy for any young person in the area who is keen to set up in business.
Enterprise co-ordinator Joanne Mason said: “The aim of the academy is to develop an entrepreneurial culture for young people in the Warrington area.
It will give them the vital links they need with local businesses and the advice and knowledge to set up on their own.
” “The academy will have a very flexible approach, so the students will tell us what they want and we will tailor the services it provides – so, for example, we will lay on workshops they have asked for.
Students from all disciplines will be encouraged to make use of the academy – not just those studying business.
” Steven Tranter, the co-ordinator of youngentrepreneurs.co.uk said: “The academy will show young people that self employment is a viable option after education and it will raise awareness of the support and guidance available to them.
“At the opening event we’re planning some enterprise activities for students to get involved in and we’ll launch the Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006.
?Students will also be given the opportunity to speak to businesses and support services to gain the knowledge and skills needed to start and sustain a successful business.?
Society picks
up top award
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON Photographic Society picked up a top prize at the annual St Helens Interclub Competition ? hosted by the Warrington club this year at their headquarters at The Quays Communit
y Centre in Grappenhall.
The Warrington club won the award for the best Open prints, while St Helens won the Natural History and Record prints sections and the Open slides section.
Judging the competition was Christine Widdall, secretary of the Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union.
Warrington Photographic Society has a varied programme of events every Tuesday with presentations and demonstrations on digital photography, monthly competitions and an evening of Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union slides in the next few weeks.
Anyone interested in joining the society should contact secretary Shaun Brierley on 01925 232495 or just turn up at the Quays Community Centre in Thelwall New Road, Grappenhall any Tuesday at 7.30pm.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 5, 6, 9 and 13. There was no jackpot winner so the prize will be rolled over to next week when it will be ?350. Two ?25 consolation prizes were won by P McIntyre and R Moore.
Parking ban
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order to prohibit any vehicle waiting on either side of Burtonwood Road, Warrington, near its junction with Bicknell Close. The order is effective from Thursday, December 1.
Appeal dismissed
A PLANNING inspector has thrown out an appeal by a resident of Coppice Green, Westbrook, Warrington against the decision of the borough council to refuse planning consent to raise the ridge height to enable a loft conversion to be carried out. The inspector ruled that the increased height would be incongruous and out of character with nearby properties.
Radio base
PLANS for a radio base station, with a 60ft high slimline mast, three antennae and ground-based equipment on land of Cromwell Avenue, Westbrook, Warrington, have been approved by borough planners.
