AN online petition has been launched urging Warrington Borough Council to consult with residents before deciding on the location for a controversial travellers’ site, currently earmarked for land off Birchwood way near Padgate, Warrington.
Within hours of going live the petition had attracted hundreds of signatures from outraged residents.
It followed revelations by rebel councillor Kevin Bennett that the likely location of a “secret” travellers site was earmarked for land off Birchwood Way, close to residential homes at Padgate, Warrington.
The former Labour councillor, who now represents the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), says a secret vote took place last December, identifying the area of land and is now demanding information Under the Freedom of Information Act, asking to identify those who voted on the site.
Kevin Bennett
The council has set aside £2m in the budget to provide an official transit site in the town.
Cllr Bennett is “disgusted” that the vote took place eight months ago and that the proposed site had been kept ‘secret’ from the people of Warrington and other Members of the Council.
“Yet again this Labour administration is ignoring their pledge to be ‘open and transparent’ he said.
He says the task group has voted to recommend a site off Birchwood Way and Blackbrook Avenue across the road from ‘Bennetts Rec’.
The online petition has been launched by local resident Christopher Webster with a letter to Warrington Borough Council.
The website states: “Warrington borough council have set aside up to £2 million to build a Travellers Transit Site at a location that they are refusing to reveal to the residents whom it will affect.
“When spending and budget cuts are being made to a myriad of public services across the borough it is unacceptable that WBC are considering this without giving the residents of the borough the chance to have their say.
“This proposal has the potential to cause significant disruption and disharmony wherever this site is placed and residents of the borough have a right to be informed and consulted on such a significant project BEFORE plans are finalised.
The petition can be viewed by CLICKING HERE
6 Comments
Thanks for helping spread the word! This petition may or may not change anything but nothing will happen if we don’t stand up and be counted.
No problem Christopher – keep us posted and we will assist in any way we can as this is clearly an important issue to the people of Warrington.
We clearly need a transit camp somewhere and need to make sure it is in the right place with the least impact on local residents.
Just keep people aware 🙂
I thought there was already a transit site in Orford?
Check out http://www.facebook.com/stiwarrington
Just over 1400 signatures in 48 hours