DRAFT proposals for a mass transit system for Warrington – possibly based on trams or light rail – could be ready for study by councillors before the end of the year.
This has emerged following pressure from Liberal Democrat councillors for a review of a mass transit system for the borough to be speeded up.
The borough council’s transport plan, known as LTP4, commits the council to a review of mass transport systems within five years.
But Liberal Democrat councillor Sharon Harris, from Appleton, quizzed the council to find out if there could be a commitment to commission a study of alternative systems for completion by the end of the 2021/22 Council year.
She said: “I have received a reply from the council which gives me some comfort that they are taking this seriously. A report has been commissioned from consultants, which is due before the end of 2020. I am told this will form the basis for working up a business case and detailed design work that must be done before improvements to the infrastructure are delivered.
“Traffic congestion and poor health are recognised as two of Warrington’s most pressing problems. We cannot wait for five years for a ‘review’. We need action much sooner than this. The government is committed to significant infrastructure spending but this must not just be on roads.
“Liberal Democrats want a fully integrated transport system for our town based on trams, light rail or buses. This would encourage people to live in the town centre and turn it into a vibrant, rejuvenated and sustainable place to be proud of.
“ ‘Shovel ready’ projects whose feasibility has been assessed are much more likely to secure early funding.
“A mass transit system coupled with a greater emphasis on cycling and walking is the way forward in a post COVID-19 world. We need to think radically if we want to reduce congestion and improve air quality.”
Cllr Hans Mundry, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “We acknowledge we are in the early stages of the process and a large amount of work is required to identify a mass transit network, which is why we committed to identify options and delivery mechanisms for a mass transit system for Warrington within five years of LTP4 adoption.
“However, we are full aware of the importance that this work has in supporting many aspects of the council’s work, including climate change, air quality and economic growth.
“We have therefore already begun procuring consultancy support on the next phase of the process, through a bus priority/mass transit study. There will be a number of elements to this work, including a review of the indicative network in LTP4.
“We anticipate a draft final report for this study being returned to us for review in late 2020. This will then inform any necessary business case and detailed design work needed before infrastructure improvements are delivered.”
The indicative mass transit network set out in LTP4 includes three cross-town centre routes and two orbital routes.
Cross town centre: Lingley Mere/Omega to proposed Garden Suburb South East Urban Extension; Daresbury to Winwick; Birchwood to Fiddler’s Ferry.
Orbital: Birchwood to proposed Garden Suburb South East Urban Extension; Lingley Mere/Omega to Birchwood.
At least two private companies have expressed an interest in developing a tram/light railway system for Warrington.
Cllr. Sharon Harris
