Influx of traffic expected
as music festival opens…
by staff reporter
POLICE have put plans in place to help keep traffic on the move during the Creamfields music festival, near Warrington this Bank Holiday weekend.
Extra officers are being drafted in to police the event at Daresbury, which runs from 3pm today (Saturday) until 6am tomorrow – and many of them will be responsible for implementing the traffic management plan.
The plan, which has been created in conjunction with the event organisers and the local authority, has been designed to ensure ticketholders can access and leave the site efficiently – by the most appropriate routes.
It also aims to manage the likelihood of increased traffic in the area – for the benefit of local residents who will need to maintain access to their homes and businesses.
“We’ve had in depth discussions with the Highways Agency, the two local councils and the organisers and produced a detailed traffic management plan to deal with the likelihood of increased traffic,” said Inspector Paul Carroll, who is leading the planning team. “As part of our planning for the event we have taken into account the extra people travelling into the area.
“We’ve also consulted with various agencies including North West Ambulance Service and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service who are happy with the plans that are in place.”
Motorists are advised to take extra time for their journeys, be alert if the roads are busier than normal and if roads are congested to tune into local radio stations for any traffic updates.
Those who choose to drive to the event are being encouraged to follow the designated routes – road closures will be in place – drivers are being urged to use junction 11 of the M56.
Drivers have been told not to rely on their satellite navigation system – and to follow traffic signs to get to the site. Roadside markers will show the distance left to the site from five miles onwards.
There will be two main car parks available to ticket holders at the site – one is located north of the A56 (the Blue car park) and the other south of Daresbury Lane (the Red car park). Ticketholders have been warned not to park on the street as any vehicles left unattended within tow-away zones will be removed.
The two main car parks are due to open at 10am, the gates open at 2pm and music starts on the main stage from 3pm. The main stage and gates close at 11pm and the event is due to finish by 6am.
Toilets and refreshments will be available at the car parks to cater for anyone who arrives before the event starts.
Anyone getting a lift to the event is being reminded to only use the designated drop off and collection zones.
Ticketholders are also being encouraged to make use of public transport or the shuttle bus services that are being provided by the organisers to help people get to and from the site from outlying areas – including Liverpool, Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn.
Insp Carroll said: “Creamfields is a big event and police officers will be out in numbers over the weekend supporting the event organiser and security staff to ensure that things run as smoothly as possible.
“As we found last year, these numbers of people coming into the area will present problems and test the traffic infrastructure to its limits.
“A number of problems were identified last year and efforts have been made by ourselves and the event organiser to address these issues.
“Whilst it would be wrong to claim that this year’s event will be problem free it is hoped that changes made will assist in combating some of these issues.”
Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers will be patrolling the surrounding roads and villages throughout the event and will be on hand to respond to any ongoing problems.
To make sure local residents have easy access to their properties during the event and to make sure that ticket holders don’t access places where they shouldn’t be, a pass scheme will be in operation, which has been coordinated by the organisers of the event.
A number of traffic diversions will be in place in the Daresbury area during the festival. The following local roads will have closures on them: Warrington Road, Goose Lane, Gosling Close, Park Lane and Chester Road – between the Ring O Bells Pub and Daresbury Village.
To find out more about the policing of the event, log onto the dedicated section on Cheshire Constabulary’s website at www.cheshire.police.uk
…but how many
get in for free?
by John Hendon
ORGANISERS of the Creamfields festival offered four free tickets to every household near the Daresbury site.
A number of residents approached Warrington-Worldwide and asked if it was known how many tickets had, in fact, been accepted.
One resident said: ?It is our understanding that the majority of residents are opposed to the festival and that few, if any, have accepted the offer of free tickets.
?I heard one chap in the pub saying it might be worth getting them to sell as they cost more than ?50 each, but I think he was joking.
?The letter we received did not make it clear why the tickets were being offered.
?I don?t know if it was a sort of ?thank you? for not objecting, compensation for any inconvenience or simply observing the time-honoured convention that if you are planning a noisy party you invite the neighbours.
?We shall be doing as we did last year ? going away for the weekend. But I know many people will not do that because they are worried their homes might be broken into.?
Warrington-Worldwide asked the organisers how many free tickets had been distributed to neighbours.
Steve Fitzsimmons, Residents’ Liaison Manager for Cream, promised an early response but failed to deliver.
One young man whose home is near the festival site applied for his free ticket but was refused one because, unknown to him, his mother had signed a petition opposing the festival.
Amy wants to pound
a police officer’s beat
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON student is looking forward to swapping her textbooks for time on the beat in Manchester.
Amy Hill, of Padgate, has just completed a Public Services diploma at Warrington Collegiate and the 18-year-old is hoping gaining three distinctions will be a step towards a career with Greater Manchester Police.
She said: ?I am really happy with the results as it was hard work but also really great. It wasn?t just sitting down and working, we had a lot of team activities as well and even went on an Army training course for five days.
?The course gives you an insight into all the services, the RAF, Royal Navy, the Marines, the Army, police, fire and ambulance.
?I want to go into the police because I want to be doing something different every day. I don?t want to work in Warrington though, I?d like to be in Manchester.?
Amy, who also works part time as a customer service assistant at Sainsburys, is returning to the Collegiate in September to start a HND in public services.
Four teenagers again
face murder court
by court reporter
FOUR teenage boys have again appeared in court at Warrington charged with the murder of 47-year-old Garry Newlove.
Two 15-year-olds from Wigan, a 16-year-old from Orford, Warrington, and 18-year-old Adam Swellings, from Crewe were remanded in custody.
Mr Newlove, a father of three, of Station Road North, Padgate, Warrington died in hospital after being allegedly attacked by a group of youths outside his home on Friday, August 10.
Wine bar
proposal
by staff reporter
PLANS for a big new wine bar in Common Lane, Culcheth have been submitted to the borough council.
The application is to change the use of the properties already at an advanced stage of construction between Sainsbury?s and the Cherry Tree which were originally given planning
consent as four shops with offices at first floor level.
If approved, two of the shops and the whole of the upper floor would become a wine bar.
Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council has yet to consider the amended scheme.
One issue likely to concern some is the number of eating and drinking establishments already open in the village. But this is not a valid planning reason for refusal.
Another might be the availability of off-street car parking.
News in brief
Arson charge
A 31-year-old man has appeared in court at Warrington charged in connection with an arson attack in Cabul Close, Orford, Warrington.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 6, 7, 12 and 16. The ?351 jackpot went unclaimed and will be rolled-over to next week. A ?25 consolation prize was won by a member of the public.
Quiz nights
QUIZ nights are to be held at St Oswald’s Social Club, off Padgate Lane, Warrington on Friday August 31 and on September 28, organised by Warrington Disability Partnership.
Support group
MEETINGS are being held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Halliwell Jones Stadium of a support group for people who stammer. Details are available from 01925 443896.
Forum meeting
A MEETING of the Warrington Voluntary and Community Sector Children and Young People’s Forum is being held at The Gateway Centre, Sankey Street, Warrington on October 16.
