A SENIOR councillor has sounded a warning of “gridlock” on Warrington’s road arising from plans to increase use of the Manchester Ship Canal by container barges and other traffic.
Cllr Celia Jordan, (pictured) Liberal Democrat councillor for Stockton Heath, raised the issue with questions to executive member for transportation Cllr Linda Dirir.
She asked if any agreement had been reached with canal operators Peel Ports to limit the number of swing bridge closures at peak times and how emergency services would be to cope with the situation.
Cllr Dirir agreed it was an important question and said council officers were working closely with Peel Ports and on-going discussions were continuing.
Cllr Jordan said she was disappointed there had been no mention of emergency services.
Conflict between canal traffic and road traffic in South Warrington had been an issue for many years and had ranged from attempts to getting collapsible masts on tugs to trying to persuade the canal company to accept some responsibility for the impact on Warrington’s economy when three major roads were at a standstill.
She had asked for years for signs saying “Bridge Off Switch Off” as air pollution in London Road, Stockton Heath was the second worst in the borough – second only to the M6.
Cllr Jordan said: “We know ships have to come into the MSC on the tide. I have long advocated a solution of holding ships at a ‘harbour’ downstream of Warrington and allowing them to proceed to Manchester out-of-peak times – between 11pm and 6am.
“When I heard Port Warrington was planned I thought sense had prevailed.
“Sadly I cannot see any mention of this and when I talk to senior Peel Ports people they still do not seem to grasp that there is a problem.”
Cllr Jordan said the full Mersey Ports Master Plan ran to 124 pages but there was hardly any mention of Warrington swing bridges.
The council’s own director of sustainable transport believed it took one hour for traffic to get back to normal after a bridge closure.
“I accept that in the fullness of time multi-modes, especially rail, will help sustainability. When a railhead is built to Port Warrington the green aspirations of Peel Ports will be achieved.
“Meanwhile their stated aim of seeking ‘to improve the environment for our staff, customers and neighbours’ will be set back even further.
“I hope Warrington will not be walked over – or sailed over! – in the interests of Peel Ports and its profits.
Gridlock on the roads warning
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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Good to see the politicians are catching up. It just needs all of them to get on the same bus and fight as one. There is not only the swing bridges, but traffic flow in general that is long overdue to be addressed. Not forgetting what happens when any of the motorways are closed. And last but not least, the NEW bridge that will drive traffic through Warrington because it will be a Toll bridge.
Agreed Silver Surfer !! The council woman finally raises some good points after years of it being planned and on the cards. BUT I really dont fancy having an endless stream of large ships going past mine between the hours of 11pm and 6am thanks. Some are rather loud and all have a deep droaning noise which would definately disturb my sleep. Hows that for being a complete and utter NIMBY then 🙂 ha ha
The A49 from Bevan Island through to London Bridge Pub -how many sets of lights are there ??? there’s one answer to your traffic problems!
If PEEL changed the swing bridges to rise up type, which open and close in a very short time (and don’t get stuck in hot or cold weather!) this would also help.
As regards the new toll road – why don’t WBC charge a higher toll to use the current bridge foot crossings -motorists would go for the cheaper option -the new proposed bridge near Runcorn !!
Well done Jordan second time around and still no mention of jobs or prosperity to the area. All the local firms that would be involved in the project and the numbers of jobless Warringtonians getting some light at the end of the tunnel.
Aaah so now the traffic problems are likely to hit Stockton Heath, Grappenhall and (heaven forbid) Lymm….. notice is finally taken…… as for jobs Knowledge, I wouldn’t worry too much because if all this goes ahead there will be that much traffic and that many jams, no one will be able to get anywhere to do any work….
Yep Baz, the key words that got the “SENIOR councillor” off her backside were “South Warrington”
Wind 🙂
Strange that she didn’t mention the Lib Dems and Tories on the County Council blocking a second high level river crossing in the 1990s! That would have sorted some of the traffic issues out but the nimbys didn’t want it. Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing? Peel have got the navigation rights for the canal and there is little that Cllr Jordan can do about it. The Council needs to work with Peel to get the best outcome for the town. The tree-hugging Liberals want freight off the roads but then obstruct the chance to put it onto an underused waterway. How bizarre!
The point of the traffic issue is not purely about South Warrington, that’s just reverse snobbery. When the bridges close the gridlock happens both south and north of the canal as far as Mersey Street and Wilson Patten Street. When there are accidents on the motorways it affects the whole of Warrington and the entire traffic network is in dire need of re-structuring before either the Port or the new toll bridge are allowed to happen.
heres a tip …..
those electronic signs that are all over town telling us various useless messages. why not change them to tell us when boats are expected down the ship canal…..?
Just simply the next couple of sailings…? so we could see:
“Next Ships due at Latchford swing bridge 8am,and 5pm Thursday” or something similar, then maybe people with sense can plan their journey either differently or earlier or later!!
I feel its too simple for our Senior councillors South of the Water and they will probably start looking at issuing South Warrington residents with free Helicopters to help them with this difficult crossing.
Obvioulsy us toffs in South warrington would prefer drawbridges to swingbridges to keep you peasants out 🙂 but in the meantime given that the situation affects the whole town, maybe Councillor Jordan has a very good point.
I hear that Peel are already in talks with the Highways Agency and the counci to use the local matrix signs to display shipping information. This was mentioned by one of the Peel reps at the recent consultation event, but many councillors did not seem to understand (or want to listen). Much of Warrington is in need of new jobs and our councillors seem intent on scuppering our chances of gaining them.