A campaign has been launched to try to stop Warrington Borough Council cutting security provision at the town’s bus station – with concerns being raised over anti-social behaviour, injuries and the safety of passengers.
Campaigners are urging local people to sign a petition calling on the council to maintain dedicated security at the town’s busy transport interchange rather than replacing the current provision with what they describe as a more passive supervisory role.
The campaign comes as Warrington Borough Council continues to implement a huge programme of cuts and savings as it attempts to bring its finances back under control.
The council is taking forward a further £51.2 million savings programme, on top of around £39 million of previously identified savings.
But campaigners say security at the bus station should not be viewed simply as another area where costs can be reduced.
They argue that having security staff visibly present provides an important deterrent to anti-social behaviour and gives passengers and bus users someone on site who can respond when incidents occur.
The campaign is particularly concerned about what could happen if dedicated security is replaced by a “passive supervisor” arrangement.
The petition states that maintaining security would help prevent injuries and anti-social behaviour and is calling on the council to retain dedicated security provision.
The organisers are also asking residents to join a Facebook campaign group supporting the move.
They say the issue is ultimately about making sure people using the bus station – including young people, older residents and vulnerable passengers – can feel safe while waiting for or travelling on buses.
The concerns come against a backdrop of growing pressure on the council to make savings across its services.
But campaigners are asking whether cutting security at a busy town-centre transport hub is a saving that could ultimately come at a greater cost if incidents increase or passengers feel less safe using the facility.
Warrington Interchange is used by local and regional bus services and sits at the heart of the town centre.
The campaign is now urging Warrington residents to make their views known to the council.
The petition can be signed here:
Sign the petition to keep security at Warrington Bus Station
Facebook campaign group:
Join the Facebook campaign group
The campaign organisers have asked not to be named but are hoping the petition will demonstrate the strength of public feeling before any changes are made.
The message from campaigners is straightforward: keep security – rather than replacing it with passive supervision – and put passenger safety first.
The council has yet to publicly respond to the campaign’s concerns.
