DESPITE a protest petition signed by more than 2,500 people, Warrington Borough Council plans to proceed with its controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) plans in Orford – saying LTN schemes will “never be universally popular.”
They say the schemes, being introduced in Orford and Westy, will be monitored on a trial basis and welcome public feedback.
More than 2,500 people have signed a protest petition started by local resident Rachael Harper, with hundreds of people complaining that they were unaware of the proposals.
The proposals are due to come into force later this month on June 20 – for a temporary period of 18 months! If deemed successful by the council, they will become permanent.
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “The low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) project was informed by the broader Central 6 Regeneration Masterplan work, which was devised based on consultation with thousands of residents in Warrington’s inner wards.
“The specifics of the LTN project were consulted on across November and December 2021. This consultation was supported via the council website, direct letter drops to households, surveys and public consultation events held across both Orford and Westy, alongside news releases promoting the opportunities to engage.
“The public engagement report from this work is available on our website which details the engagement work undertaken, though following this report we have made further refinements to the scheme based on the feedback we received.
“We know that LTN schemes will never be universally popular. The proposed schemes are on a trial basis and will be monitored, with residents able to engage and provide feedback throughout this period.
“We welcome all feedback on this trial and would urge residents to share their views with us.”
Commenting on the council’s response petition organiser Rachael Harper said: “Wow, absolutely appalling. This is a clear example of the council ignoring the concerns and views of its residents.
“While I acknowledge that one issue can never have universal acceptance, they cannot simply brush the opposition of so many people who will be massively affected under the carpet, that’s just not how democracy works! The council needs to acknowledge that if they proceed with these plans that the people of Orford and Warrington will fight them on it every step of the way.
“Last I checked, we still lived in a democracy and that includes public accountability, not just votes at an election.”
Feedback can be provided via [email protected]
Click on the map to see full size pdfMore than 2,500 residents sign petition opposing controversial Orford traffic scheme
3 Comments
Well what’s new. They don’t listen to anyones opinion or feedback.
Once this starts it will never revert back.
Seems to throw all traffic onto the busiest roads and increase journey times
Has Longford St become Longford Rd – at least get the road names right
Chaos will follow
I’ve been a Labour Party member for most of my adult life and still pay my £4.67 monthly fee and chip in during elections etc. Just as Keir Starmer is telling the Tories to listen to the people we need our local councillors to listen to us.
The ‘consultation’ is super shoddy with tiny fonts and maps that are totally unreadable. The consultants even get the local street names wrong but they don’t live here an WE DO.
So I’m pleading to the nine Labour councillors for Orford, Poplars and Fairfield to listen and act to stop the effective closure of Hallfields Road. It’s no a rat run. If the consultants want a rat run then direct them to Birtles Road where schoolchildren cross. Also to Russ Bowden and Cathy Mitchell and Orford dwelling Charlotte Nichols. You can stop this mistake. You need to stop this mistake. When was the last time so many residents (3200 and counting) were up in arms in a couple of days?