Transport blueprint
a “missed opportunity”
by David Skentelbery
BUSINESS leaders in Warrington have slammed the borough council’s transport blueprint for the next five years as “a missed opportunity.”
It lacks urgency and puts forward “easy options” such as congestion charging and workplace parking levies – charging people to park on their own land – says Colin Daniels, chief executive officer of Warrington Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Warrington’s provisional second Local Transport Plan (LTP2) was submitted to the government in July, following consultation with the public and a range of local, regional and national stakeholders.
There will now be a fuller, in-depth consultation this autumn as part of the development of the full LPT2.
But Mr Daniels says the plan – which covers the years 2006-2011 – is very much a repeat of the first LPT which covered the period 2001-2006.
He accepts there has been progress on real-time information for bus passengers, improvements to bus stops, measures to help walkers and cyclists and that a new bus station is being built.
But action on traffic congestion is still “light years away” he says.
He notes a lack of progress towards an integrated transport system and an apparent shift away from a proposal for a Bridge Foot bypass.
“We have said for years that such a scheme would simply move the congestion 250 metres up the road but they wouldn’t listen to us.
“We have called for an A56-A57 link, which we have called a Western Bypass, and it would appear they are now prepared to consider this. But there is no sense of urgency.
“Warrington has higher than average car ownership and the town’s economic success is likely to continue, creating more traffic.
“But the Western Bypass will now be put back to the next LTP, which means it will not be built until after 2011, or possible even 2020.
“There is talk again of another high level crossing of the Manchester Ship Canal because canal traffic is likely to increase. But this will just get people from the south of Warrington to Bridge Foot quicker and make the congestion even worse.
“We think the Western Bypass should be built and Cromwell Avenue should be dualled.
“But LPT2 doesn’t provide for this. I know it will be changed after further consultation but there seems little likelihood of it picking up the opportunities that have already been missed.”
Rowing girls on
crest of a wave
by Gary Skentelbery
TWO champion rowers from Lymm High School are on the crest of a wave after taking delivery of a world class rowing boat used by the Australian National Rowing Team at the World Championships in Munich.
Women’s Junior 15’s Kate McQuillian and Liv Oakes, who are both members of Warrington Rowing Club, have already collected an impressive haul of medals at national championship events, since teaming up as a doubles for the last two regatta seasons.
It is now hoped that the Australian “Sykes racing” boat will help the girls and others at their rowing club achieve even greater success.
The club decided that, due to the rising promise of their star crews that a new racing boat would be in order.
By coincidence a new make of boat was being launched in the UK – Australia’s ‘Sykes Racing’ and of the first few boats arriving, Warrington were lucky to get the opportunity to have the ex- women’s double of the Australian National Rowing team and to put it to the test.
The new boat arrived fresh from the World Championships in Munich, providing a very exciting time for Kate and Liv as they spent many hours getting used to the different racing style required.
In July Warrington Rowing Club sent a few of their top racing crews, including Kate and Liv, to the British National Championships, where they trialed the new boat and enjoyed medal success.
Kate and Liv added a silver medal to their haul of one bronze, one silver and one gold medal achieved together at national level.
With the new boat they also powered to the gold medal in the Girl’s J15 Double Sculls at the prestigious National Schools Regatta.
These are the premier national championships for junior rowers and feature terrific competition from the most famous rowing schools and clubs in the country.
Residents oppose homes
on industrial site
by John Hendon
NEARLY 100 residents are opposing plans to build houses on an industrial site off Longshaw Street, Warrington.
They fear cul-de-sacs will be converted into a through road, that three and four storey houses will result in a loss of privacy and that there will be more noise, disturbance and congestion.
The outline application is for residential development on 4.3 acres of land at present occupied by Marsden Vanplan Ltd.
A report to be considered by Warrington’s development control committee on Wednesday states that the site, part of which is overgrown, is currently in use for the assembly of vans and is dominated by a large industrial building.
The site is no longer considered suitable for van assembly and the idea is to fund relocation of the building by selling the land.
Planning officers say because it is only an outline plan it is not possible to make judgements on many of the concerns expressed by residents. It is not known yet if it is intended to open up cul-de-sacs for access and there is no evidence to suggest the scheme would result in a significant loss of residential amenity.
But the scale of the development is likely to have implications for education provision, affordable housing, open space, play provision, off-site recreation facilities, etc., so conditions are recommended to ensure these matters are addressed.
It will also be necessary to investigate the site for contaminated land.
Bikers banned from
borough’s parks
by Terry Johnson
“STUNT riders’ are being purged from Warrington’s parks….to prevent families and joggers from being mown down.
Nuisance motor-cyclists and quad-bikers face having their machines confiscated in the tough summer crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
Speeding bikers pose a serious danger to walkers and joggers enjoying town parks.
Police say they are targeting the ‘stunt riders’ in a bid to reclaim pathways and open spaces for those who wish to enjoy them without causing problems for others.
Park patrols on mountain bikes have warned 15 youths that they risk having their machines seized if caught again behaving badly within 12 months.
A further 23 youths have been spoken to by officers and one arrested for indecency.
Police Community Support Officer, Kath Harkin, said: “This is not about spoiling people’s fun or enjoyment of borough parks. Its about taking action against nuisance riders who deliberately behave in a dangerous or anti-social way.
“We see youths riding at high speeds – performing stunts in areas where children are playing or families walking.
“This behaviour can only lead to someone being hurt. Everyone should be able to enjoy local parks and open spaces without this fear”.
The police message is clear: “We will confiscate bikes if the riders ignore our warning”.
Town avoids
“hate crimes”
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON has averted serious community tensions and “hate crime” following the terrorist strikes in London.
Police chiefs monitoring the local situation for possible fall-out from the London bombings and attempted explosions say they are working to strengthen community relationships.
Chief Supt Helen King told the Warrington Police Forum: “Local officers are working with partner agencies, including the British Transport Police and minority ethnic groups in the area.
“We hope to provide public reassurance and strengthen relationships.”
Cheshire Police were not reporting significant increases in community tension or hate crime.
There is regular poli
ce contact with members of minority communities.
“The Constabulary is supporting the national police response and the Metropolitan Police investigation with some specialist staff”, stated Chief Supt King.
Forum chairman Coun Peter Walker, said: “Many community safety problems can only be resolved locally using a partnership approach”.
The meeting was told of police operations involving seizures of cannabis and action taken against vehicle and boiler thieves.
Members of the public raised issues relating to excessive drinking and the new licensing regulations.
Woman dies in
road crash
by staff
A WOMAN has died in a road accident near Warrington.
The 43-year-old local woman is believed to have been the driver of a Mercedes car which left the road and crashed into a garden wall in Warrington Road, High Legh, near to its junction with Heath Lane.
After the impact with the wall, the car was in collision with another vehicle.
The woman died at the scene, but the occupants of the second car were not seriously hurt.
Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 01244 350000.
“Time Lord”
joins firm
by staff reporter
KNOWN in the industry as “The Time Lord” because of his passion for and knowledge of quality wrist watches, Sheridan King has been appointed business development manager with Warrington-based jewellery chain AB&S Group.
Mr King, from Holmfirth, has identified new initiatives to further fuel growth of the group, which has outlets in Cheshire and Liverpool.
The Cheshire shops, in Warrington and Stockton Heath, trade as A. Baker and Sons.
Mr King will work closely with AB&S Group’s founder and managing director, Laurence Levey.
