THE chief executive of Warrington Borough Council Prof. Steven Broomhead is calling on Peel Ports to take action to repair the town’s rusting swing bridges.
Concerns have emerged from residents after the bridge in London Road, Stockton Heath, briefly became stuck open again, causing traffic chaos in South Warrington.
Motorists attempting to cross the Manchester Ship Canal on the morning of Saturday October 19 were briefly thwarted due to the issue. It led to lengthy delays in the area as people sought alternative routes via Walton, Latchford swing bridge or the Cantilever high level bridge.
Peel Ports manages the swing bridges across the canal from Chester Road, Walton, Latchford and London Road, Stockton Heath.
Questions were being asked over the maintenance and general safety of the bridges follow the stuck bridge issue at Stockton Heath.
The local authority and Peel Ports are in deadlock over the repainting of the swing bridges in a long-running dispute with no obvious sign of resolution.
Recent photographs taken at Stockton Heath swing bridge have laid bare the extent of the rusting structure which is in desperate need of maintenance.
The paintwork is extensively rusted and corroded with the metalwork exposed.
Today, Prof. Steven Broomhead MBE CEO of Warrington Borough Council, said: “We remain very willing to discuss realistic proposals for the upgraded maintenance and painting of the swing bridges, but equally remain resolute that the costs of the works should be covered by Peel Ports and not local people.
“The plans that Peel previously put forward were unworkable. We can’t support plans that may cause a significant amount of disruption, without there being appropriate, costed contingency plans put in place.
“This is something we have always been clear about. We cannot accept the bridges simply closing without there being adequate and funded alternative arrangements put in place to support local people and businesses, while the works are ongoing.
“We therefore continue to ask for a financial commitment from Peel to underwrite the cost of any contingency plans associated with the repair works, given the level of disruption the bridge maintenance is likely to cause.”
Peel Ports has been approached for comment by Warrington Worldwide.
Previously, a spokesperson for Peel Ports said: “We share the frustration of residents and road users, and we remain committed to the renovation of Warrington’s Swing Bridges.
They said: “This significant project requires a collective effort and cooperation on all sides, and MSCC has been prepared to fund the £8m project.
“However, these efforts have been severely hampered by Warrington Borough Council’s rejection of our Temporary Traffic Regulation Order – which is essential to ensure contractors can safely carry out necessary works – and its failure to fund elements of the mitigation costs, for which responsibility firmly lies with the council.
“To allow us to move forward, we urge the council to re-engage to find a solution that will work for all involved.”
The spokesperson explained the bridges “remain safe and fully operational for users and routine maintenance will continue as normal.”
6 Comments
No wonder Peel won’t pay for them to get repaired and painted, it’s already cost them thousands in brown envelopes to be allowed to build houses on our greenbelt.
They’ve got what they wanted, they don’t need to fork out any more money.
perhaps the council could have them declared unsafe and force them to remain in the closed position thus stopping shipping from progressing up and down the canal.
i am sure peel would soon get them fixed if they thought they were going to be losing revenue.
If they were declared unsafe they’d be closed to all road traffic and Peel would probably look to open them to prevent their use.
Could MSCC provide us with a time scale to complete the repairs ?
I’m sure I heard that Peel were quoting nine months closure for the work to be completed
Is that 9 months per bridge ?