Survey reveals fear of traffic chaos

MORE than 350 people have responded to a survey on the impact of the Atlantic Gateway proposals on Warrington – and an overwhelming 95 per cent of them fear they will lead to increased congestion on the town’s roads.
The survey was organised by Warrington South MP David Mowat and is still available on his website, www.davidmowat.org
Atlantic Gateway is a major, £50bn project along the route of the Manchester Ship Canal, including the creation of a Port Warrington, near Moore.
It will provide a huge boost to the economy of the North West.
But canal owners Peel Ports Ltd admit that additional shipping on the canal is likely to mean increased disruption for Warrington residents.
Each time a ship passes along the canal it will mean each of the three Warrington swing bridges – Knutsford Road, London Road and Chester Road – will be “off” to road traffic for a while.
It has been estimated that it takes more than a hour for road traffic get back to normal after a ship passes through.
Two thirds of those who took part in Mr Mowat’s survey were already aware of the proposals and an overwhelming 95 per cent thought that the proposals would increase congestion on the roads.
Opinion was divided over the best solution to the problem with 49 per cent favouring more night voyages, 32 per cent preferring construction of a new bridge and 14 per cent wanting a better early warning system to alert motorists to ship movements.
Mr Mowat said: “I am pleased that this survey has stoked debate in the town about the likely impact of the proposals. I have received a large number of thoughtful letters and emails from residents on how best to minimise disruption and I will be passing some of those comments on to Peel.
“The Atlantic Gateway project is ambitious and deserves our support, but we need to think very carefully about the impact it will have on Warrington, which will be uniquely affected by the project.”
In recent years, the Ship Canal has caused few problems or road users.
But older residents remember the “bad old days” when shipping was heavier and repeated hold-ups for road traffic brought chaos to the town regularly – and made many out-of-town shoppers go elsewhere.
Picture: MP David Mowat (left) with Cllr Paul Kennedy, leader of the Conservative Group on Warrington Borough Council, on London Road Swing Bridge.