MOTORISTS in Warrington are to get early warning signs to tell them when the town’s notorious swing bridges are “off”.
Borough council traffic management experts say the signs should help relieve a frustrating problem for local drivers.
Motorists who get stuck in a queue currently don’t know whether to blame a bridge – or if there has been an accident. If they are informed that a bridge is “off” they will know there is no point to trying to find another route.
The warning signs will be placed near to the Chester Road, Knutsford Road and London Road swing bridges.
It is hoped the signs will also have an environmental benefit. Some will remind drivers to cut their engines until traffic is moving again to reduce air pollution.
According to the AA, modern cars use virtually no fuel when they are restarted without using the accelerator, and they recommend switching off if you are stationary for more than three minutes.
Cllr Linda Dirir, the council’s executive member for highways, transportation and climate change, said: “These new signs will really help motorists crossing the Ship Canal to manage their journey better. If everyone waiting for the bridges, turned off their engines it would help reduce air pollution and benefit all Warrington residents with cleaner air, as well as reducing carbon emissions and fuel costs.”
MOTORISTS in Warrington are to get early warning signs to tell them when the town's notorious swing bridges are "off".
Early warning when bridges are off
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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.
5 Comments
Ok so am I missing something here. It says that ……”Motorists who get stuck in a queue currently don’t know whether to blame a bridge – or if there has been an accident. If they are informed that a bridge is “off” they will know there is no point to trying to find another route.The warning signs will be placed NEAR TO the Chester Road, Knutsford Road and London Road swing bridges.”……………… When they say near to they mean right near? I hope not as if they are sited near the swing bridges the only people who will see them are those already near the swing bridges so they will already be able to SEE that the bridges are off and boats are passing. It makes sense to put them somewhere else say the other end of Wilderspool Causeway/Chester Road near Brian Bevan Island, and others a similar distance from the bridges in the other direction ? Maybe that’s what they mean and probably just me reading it wrong though so appologies if I am.
I would suggest that, half way down these roads would be better, so that people have early warning and can afford the problem. If they are near to the bridges, people will know what the problem is anyway when they come to a queue.
Unless someone is monitoring the ship movement and controlling the signs in real time I can’t see how this is going to work. I’ll bet it’ll be like the bus display that have no real time tracking so it’ll be a sign that’s effectively a glorified boat time table. If it is monitored though, then why not at least tell us which way the ships moving and that way we can decide whether to wait or detour around the problem.
This is old hat, Latchford swingbridge has had one of these signs for as long as I can remember. Only problem is it hasnt worked for nigh on 20 years or more. It was usefull at the time as you could make the decision as to whether or not use the cantilever to avoid the wait.
The Northbound one heading towards Latchford swing bridge is just before the turning for Ackers Road. The times I’ve been stuck in the queue have been by Tescos. Better to have placed it near there really, and show an indicator if boats are entering the Locks or passing S/Heath bridge. Just takes a little forethought …