ONGOING concerns over the controversial Warburton Toll Bridge have escalated following a decision to close the toll booth for up to three months and introduce a single-lane traffic light system during maintenance works.
Local residents have been left angry by the short-notice decision which has added to traffic issues in the area.
Local campaigner Andy Openshaw said: “This disruption is frustrating – significant controls appear to have been implemented with no notice, at the same time as the closure of Cherry lane (also a major route in & out of Lymm, with planned disruption for months).
“According to Peel’s own documentation the last inspection of the Warburton Cantilever bridge in 2016 reported that urgent repairs were needed, yet nothing appears to have been done proactively since. These restrictions come shortly after a recent bridge inspection, such that it appears that there are issues with the safety of the Cantilever bridge requiring immediate measures and controls.
“Warrington residents are having to put up with poor or non-existent maintenance of Manchester Ship Canal infrastructure; Warburton Bridge is one of several key crossings of the Ship Canal that are deteriorating.
“The obligations on the owners of the Manchester Ship Canal are clear under the Acts of Parliament that authorised the Manchester Ship Canal and led to roads being bisected and ‘new’ (in the 1890’s!) bridges to join north & south Warrington.
“Peel / The Manchester Ship Canal Company have been prevaricating over ‘urgent’ maintenance for over 6 years, trying to push financial responsibility for the maintenance of the Warburton Cantilever Bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal (built circa 1893 and to be maintained by the Manchester Ship Canal Company) onto the public, via an increase to the Toll that is payable to use the Rixton and Warburton bridge and it’s approach roads (aka the ‘Toll Bridge’ – immediately adjacent to the current toll booth, built circa 1867 under the Act of Parliament that permits the Toll to be charged).
“As pointed out by another resident, the reason that the Toll is set at 12p / 25p and is therefore insufficient to maintain the Cantilever bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal, is that the Toll was set to maintain a different bridge and it’s approach roads. The existing approach roads should be maintained by the Toll (Peel are correct in pointing out that the Toll has been transferred to the ‘diverted’ approach roads, but the intention in the Manchester Ship Canal Acts was for all the Manchester Ship Canal crossings (bridges) to be maintained out of the (still very profitable) Manchester Ship Canal revenues.
“Users of Warburton Bridge road have to put up with serious maintenance defects including the road flooding during and after heavy rain (likely related to the numerous blocked gullies along Warburton Bridge Road) and earlier in 2022 users experience potholes in the road that were seriously damaging over 8 cars per day!”
Meanwhile, local Cllr Graham Gowland added: “It’s important this key link is properly maintained, and it’s clear the bridge inspections have found serious issues with the structure of the bridge.
“Single lane operating will reduce the weight put on to the bridge, already reduced due to vehicle weight restrictions put in place in recent years, but this just illustrates how poorly the company has been maintaining their assets – which are local strategic resources. We need the Department for Transport to look at how the owners – Peel, AustralianSuper, APG and Global Infrastructure Partners appear to be mis-managing the maintenance of their statutory undertakings – not just the ‘new’ Warburton Bridge, but also the Swing Bridges, which will result in traffic chaos – they say they “aspire to make positive contributions and aim to act responsibly”, while taking millions in profits. It’s simply not on.”
A spokesperson for the Manchester Ship Canal Company said: “Following a routine engineering inspection, we have installed temporary traffic lights and single-lane traffic, and have removed all toll charges on Warburton Toll Bridge. The bridge remains fully operational and safe, although the toll booth and staff are not needed whilst a single-lane is enforced. We expect this to take up to three months.
“Discussions regarding the ongoing maintenance and repair of Warburton Toll Bridge continue and plans are currently under review, submitted as part of the Transport and Works Act Order.”
Meanwhile, a public inquiry is due to take place involving Peel’s bid to increase tolls from 12p to £1 to cover a £6.5m upgrade and maintenance and running costs.
More details on the bridge can be found here https://www.warburtontollbridge.co.uk/
