A special service will take place today, March 20, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Warrington Bombing which claimed the lives of three-year-old Johnathan ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry and injured more than 50 shoppers.
A number of road closures will be in place for the event which is being co-ordinated by Warrington Borough Council in conjunction with the Peace Foundation, set up in memory of the boys and other victims of the IRA atrocity which also later led to the death of young mother Bronwen Vickers, who was seriously injured by one of the blasts caused by bombs planted in two litter bins on Bridge Street on a busy Saturday, the day before Mother’s Day.
The atrocity caused shockwaves around the world as Warrington responded with dignity and a message of peace, leading to the Good Friday agreement.
Tim’s parents Colin and Wendy, with the support of Johnathan’s now deceased parents, Wilf and Marie Ball, became ambassadors for peace, helping create the unique Peace centre in their memory.
As part of the town’s remembrance in this 30th anniversary year, guests will be seated for an event in the town centre.
This event will take place from Market Gate, looking down towards Bridge Street.
The event is expected to begin at 12 noon and conclude at 12.45 pm, with a one-minute silence at 12.20 pm.
Many members of the public are expected to want to pay their respects at the River of Life in the town centre and join in the one-minute silence. Though the main Bridge Street thoroughfare will in large part be cordoned off for the event, there will still be a level of public access to Bridge Street – but this will be limited.
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We expect that while people will still be able to access the town centre and local businesses, the town centre will be busy, so please be mindful of this if you are planning to visit.”
The Bridge Street memorial
Car parks in the town centre will remain open apart from the car park at Warrington Town Hall.
Road closures
Road closures will be enforced from 5am on some key routes:
Generally, on and around Bridge Street, from 5am-3pm there will be road closures and restrictions on some pedestrian access
From 5am, Buttermarket Street, from the junction with Scotland Road, will be closed
From 5am, Cairo Street, from Egypt Street to Sankey Street, will be closed – no vehicles will be permitted
From 5am, Horrocks Lane will be closed, with no vehicle access until around 2pm
From 9am, Sankey Street from Legh Street to Bold Street will be closed until approximately 2pm. Please be aware there will be no access or return until after the event finishes
For businesses in the town centre that are based around Bridge Street, Horsemarket Street, Buttermarket Street and Sankey Street, there will be no access for deliveries on the day until approximately 2pm
