A COUNCILLOR has suggested “people power” should be used to stop disruption in a village centre every time a canal swing bridge is used to allow shipping through.
Cllr Tudor Pole (pictured), of Stockton Heath Parish Council, said: “What we need is some sort of day of action – we should all stand on the bridge, refuse to move and see what happens.”
The council was discussing additional disruption likely if plans by the Peel Ports Group to increase shipping on the Manchester Ship Canal go ahead.
Members were told every time the swing bridge was opened to shipping it took at least 45 minutes for road traffic congestion to ease.
Increased use of the canal would mean increased congestion on the roads.
Cllr Pole said: “If it takes 45 minutes to get the traffic back to normal and the use of the bridge is increasing, we might as well just close the village down.”
But Cllr Stephen Taylor said a lot of Peel Ports’ plans were “aspirational”.
Although there were plans for a “Port Warrington” on the canal, it might never happen as it would depend on economics.
People power to stop bridge swinging
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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.
4 Comments
May be Cllr Pole could suggest to Peel Ports Group to recommend to ship company’s to use lower and smaller ships so they could sail underneath the bridge without disruption to traffic?
I would imagine that the bridge could be moved with people on it perhaps a charge could be made for the experience.
That would be a submarine then.
Edward, with ideas like that, you should be working for the WBC good ideas department or better still, get elected and become a Cllr, you get my vote.