Woman robbed of purse
after struggle with thief
by John Hendon
A 53-year-old Warrington woman was robbed of her purse after a fierce struggle with her attacker.
She was left badly shaken after the incident in Insall Road Padgate, Warrington and the offender escaped after being chased by passersby.
The woman had just leaned by bicycle against some railings near the junction with Station Road North when she saw a hand grabbing at the handlebars.
She turned to see a man about 5ft 8 inches tall trying to take her bike.
There was a struggle during which the bike fell on the floor. The man then ran off, taking the woman?s purse.
Passersby chased the man to the rear of Fearhead Cross, back into Insall Road and into Valiant Close. Eventually he made good his escape.
Police say he had short black hair and was wearing a cream jumper with cream or white tracksuit bottoms with black stripes on the legs.
Anyone who saw the incident or can help police in any way is asked to call DC Victoria Tait on 0845 458 0000 or the confidential Crimstoppers line on 0800 555 111.
Election hopeful’s DIY
job on problem pothole
by Lesley Wilkinson
ELECTION hopeful David Mowat was so worried when he heard residents’ complaints about a problem pothole that he rolled up his sleeves and fixed it himself.
He said: “I was told residents had complained about the hole more than a year previously so I thought it was time something was done.”
Mr Mowat, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South discovered the pothole in Wardley Road, Walton, Warrington when he was out canvassing.
Nearby resident Maureen Heaton told him she had reported the hole in July last year – and that a council engineer came along shortly aftewards.
She was then asked to fill in a form – but nothing else happened.
Mrs Heaton said: “The hole was about 12 inches by four inches, right in the centre of the road next to a grid. I was worried that children playing could be injured if they tripped.
Lots of children use skateboards and bikes in the road and I would have hated to see someone injured.
“I was also fed up with the noise of lorries hitting the grid.
“Now it’s lovely sitting in my lounge again with no noise from the grid.”
Mr Mowat said: “One of the most frequent concerns raised by residents is the dreadful state of our roads. This hole was a serious health and safety hazard to both pedestrians and children, and increasingly noisy as cars hit the crater.
“The council reacted fast with a team on site within a week – but then said it was the responsibility of United Utilities.
“In the last year the hole has got larger and noisier and more dangerous. I’ve fixed it, at least on a temporary basis. Hopefully the council or United Utilities will also turn up soon.”
Care centre for disabled
children on shared site?
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington are being asked to approve the development of a business case for a new residential centre to provide short-break care for disabled children and similar facilities for disabled adults.
The site of the former Oliver Plunkett School at Birchwood has been earmarked for the project which would replace an existing centre for children at Ross Close and provide new facilities for adults.
Talks have been going on for some time between the borough council and the Griffiths Court Foundation, which aims to build a major centre for disabled adults in memory of former Warrington headteacher Marjorie Griffiths.
The current Ross Close centre, established in 1992, is a four bedroom unit in adapted adjoining bungalows.
In recent years, it has proved inadequate and too small despite various adaptations and improvements.
Inspections over the last two years have praised the standard of care but expressed concern about the building Main concerns are insufficient bathroom and toilet provision, an absence of adequate sleep-in and office space, narrow and winding corridors, poor and cramped play areas and inadequate parking facilities.
In addition, there is an increased demand because of a rise in the number of cases of autism and improved survival rates among youngsters with the most profound disabilities.
A study of needs suggests the number of bed spaces should be doubled and there also needs to be provision for staff, meeting rooms, specialist equipment and play and leisure.
The Griffiths Court Foundation is planning a multi-million ? project and there would be considerable cost advantage in sharing the site and having joint use of facilities such as a swimming pool, offices, meeting rooms, laundry, staffing and management costs. Cost of the children?s facility is put at about ?700,000.
However, there could be difficulties posed by having two building projects on the same site and also about fitting both project on the available land.
A report will go to the council?s executive board next week when members will be asked to approve the development of a business case.
On-off road closure
baffles villagers
by David Skentelbery
AN on-off road closure has left shopkeepers and villagers baffled at Lymm, near Warrington.
Earlier this week a storm broke after villagers discovered Eagle Brow was to be closed for major works – only nine months after a ?576,000 resurfacing project had closed the road for months.
But now Warrington Borough Council has asked contractors for National Grid to suspend work on replacing a gas main – and the road has re-opened.
Phil Johnson, the council’s head of transport, said: “Some of the works were changed on site and without our consent. Therefore, the road has been re-opened until the works are reprogrammed and agreed with the council.”
Shopkeepers claimed business was badly hit by the earlier closure, which went on for months and was dogged by delays. Now they fear trade will be affected again.
Eagle Brow is one of the main access routes to Lymm’s shopping centre. Since the earlier closure, it has been hit several times by flooding after heavy rain. Water has reached within inches of inundating shop premises.
Residents were also infuriated by the new closure. One said: “No sooner have we a decent road surface on Eagle Brow than the powers that be decide to dig it up again.”
One shopkeeper said: “I am pleased the new closure is not going ahead at present, but presumably it will do so sooner or later. They’ll probably manage to get it to coincide with Christmas.”
Council chiefs say the new excavations, when they finally go ahead, will not result in any permanent damage to the new road surface laid last year.
Photographs capture
bands – and fans
by staff reporter
BANDS as diverse as The Artic Monkeys, REM and Radiohead feature in a photographic exhibition being held at Warrington Museum.
The show, “I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member,” runs until Saturday November 17.
It showcases a collection of photographs taken at gigs of Indie bands also including The Twang, White Stripes, and many others.
Organisers say it captures the “enthusiasm and energy” of the concerts and features candid images of bands on stage caught through surging crowds.
Photographer Shari Denson has used the perspective of the fan in all of her images. Her previous work includes Big Issue in the North, Time Out Manchester, the NME and The Fly.
Museum manager Janice Hayes said: “It’s a great exhibition and very much in keeping with our policy of appealing to as wide an audience as possible – we’ve already had a number of visitors who haven’t been to the museum before, which is fantastic.”
Seminar on
lorry laws
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SEMINAR on the legislation applying to lorries and their drivers is being held in Warrington on October 3.
The Freight Tra
nsport Association will hold the session for transport managers aimed at keeping them up to date on the latest regulations applying to the industry.
It will provide updates on recent transport developments which impact on operations, and is part of an annual series of seminars organised by the association.
Topics to be covered include driver licensing and the new Certificate of Professional Competence, the safety and security of loads, delivery access issues and how to avoid driver fatigue.
The seminar is open to members of the association.
