Residents march in protest against Central 6 low traffic schemes

VIDEO: RESIDENTS across Warrington marched in protest today over the Central 6 schemes, already causing disruption in the Westy and Latchford area, while on hold at Orford.

Beginning at Orford park at midday, protestors gathered to highlight their concerns about the plans. The group marched across Warrington to Victoria Park, ending their peaceful protest, before welcomed refreshments provided at the Cheshire Cheese Pub.

Despite grey skies and some rain, around 200 people took part in the protest march.

With megaphones, placards and “no to Central 6” shirts and face paint, the protestors crossed Kingsway Bridge and along Grange Avenue with loud support from passing cars.

The Central 6 scheme is a part of a  regeneration plan by Warrington Borough Council, designed to target six wards in Warrington by reducing traffic volume and pollution in line with national targets. Previous plans in Orford were paused last month.
The Westy and Latchford plan within the scheme involved blocking Grange Avenue with unsightly planters. 
However, the scheme has faced major criticism locally, with the ‘No to Central 6’ campaign group arguing the issues of traffic and pollution will instead move to surrounding areas. The group’s new website reads, “The reason we believe this street plan is not practical is because it does not do what the council say are the benefits. The traffic volume decreases in the immediate area but increases in other surrounding parts. The pollution is also dispersed into other surrounding areas”

Local people today shared their concerns over the Central 6 plans in their area.

Pauline Wright, commented that the plans would alter her usual commute to work, “I’m now going to have to go down the M6 every day when I’d usually go through Latchford.”
With several protestors discussing a lack of communication from the council, Pauline said she wished for “a proper consultation. The first thing we knew ( about the scheme) was in letters through the door saying this was going to happen in 3 weeks’ time. We’ve lived there for 11 years and knew nothing about it at all until then”.

Paul Cunliffe also discussed his commute to work in light of the plans, “If they shut those roads, it’s just going to be horrendous, Winwick Road will just be at a complete gridlock.”
Jean Murray also marched today and said that changes would add “four or five miles a day” to her usual commute.
Protestor Linda was passionate about the campaign saying “I’ve come here today as I don’t believe in the scheme at all”.
“My mum is really ill and I need to get there, but this will put miles on my journey as I’ll have to go the other way, never mind the price of fuel.”
“If I don’t get to my mum when she needs me quick, I’ll hold every councillor responsible.”

Local resident Paul Roberts joined the protest commenting that “the council is trying to dictate to the people of Warrington what they think we should have instead of engaging with the people to find out how to go about this”.

“This will force everyone up Winwick Road to get where we want to be and Winwick Road is already chock-a-block. All their doing is moving the pollution and traffic from one area to another.” 

The Chesire Cheese Pub hosted the campaigners after the protest for food and drink.

Organiser of the ‘No to Central 6’ campaign Rachael Harper said she hoped the march would “let as many people as possible know about how the plans would impact them.” 

“There’s still such a surprising amount of people who weren’t aware of this and didn’t know abou it”.

“We want something now from the council that says we’re not just interested in getting your feedback, were interested in doing something about it.”