Bus vandals may be
caught on camera
by David Skentelbery
BUS vandals at Warrington risk being caught on camera, police have warned.
Every vehicle in Warrington Borough Transport’s bus fleet is being equipped with state-of-the-art CCTV cameras – and the work will be completed over the next 12-22 months.
So far this year, 28 incidents of criminal damage caused by vandals hurling objects at buses in Warrington.
Bus chief Nigel Featham said: “We are determined to stamp out this dangerous and anti-social behaviour by working with Warrington Police.”
Apart from being highly dangerous for drivers and passengers, bus vandals are costing transport bosses thousands of pounds each year in repairs to damaged vehicles and could even result in affected bus services being withdrawn altogether.
Police spokesman Insp Martin Barber, said: “Throwing objects at any vehicle is highly dangerous and could have serious consequences, not only for the driver who could get very badly hurt, but for any passengers travelling in the vehicle.”
The police and the bus company are co-operating in a drive to stamp out the problem. The cameras being installed constantly record colour images inside and outside the bus while it is in service.
Mr Featham said: “A bus can seat up to 39 people, with 21 people standing. Including a driver that’s up to 61 people who are being put at risk each time someone throws an object at a bus.”
“The damage caused to our vehicles costs our company in excess of ?40,000 per year to repair, but our main concern is for the safety of our drivers and passengers.”
Evidence captured on the CCTV cameras is admissible in court for criminal prosecutions and Warrington Borough Transport intends to use its CCTV footage to help police identify offenders.
Mr Featham added: “On average we get two windows broken a week which can cost up to ?100 each to repair. Apart from the cost of repairing damaged buses, persistent stone throwing could result in services having to be re-routed away from danger areas.”
Inspector Barber said: “People don’t realise the implications their actions can have. Perpetrators seem to think throwing objects at buses is a ‘harmless’ thing to do, but it is anything but. It might not be a caution, or a reprimand the offender receives, they could face possible charges of actual bodily harm if a driver or passenger is injured. Perhaps even more serious charges such as manslaughter if their actions cause a road traffic collision in which people are killed.”
Teenager made subject of
anti social behaviour order
by court reporter
A TEENAGER from Warrington has been made the subject of an Anti Social Behaviour Order.
Warrington Youth Court imposed the ASBO on Craig Frangleton, aged 16, of Grasmere Avenue, Orford, at the same time he was sentenced for a number of offences.
The youth must now abide by several conditions for a period of two years. He must not to enter the Fearnhead or Cinammon Brow areas of Warrington ie, North of Blackbrook Avenue, including the shops at Fearnhead off Insall Road and he must not congregate in groups of any more than three people including himself.
In addition he must:
<LI>> not associate with a number of named associates
<LI> not engage in any form of violent conduct or anti-social behaviour
<LI> notify the police immediately of any change of home address
DS Richard Langford, of Warrington Police said: “The granting of this ASBO is the result of a co-ordinated approach by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service in Warrington.
“It would not however have been possible without the commitment and strength of local residents from Fearnhead and Cinammon Brow who refused to put up with the anti-social behaviour they were experiencing by working together with the police.”
DS Langford added: “We understand that people are often frightened to come forward to report such matters to the police for fear of reprisals, but we’d like to assure local communities that we take anti social behaviour extremely seriously and with their co-operation we can send out a clear message to offenders that their behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Breaching the conditions of an ASBO is an arrestable offence.
Collegiate opens door
of Hell’s kitchen
by Terry Johnson
IF you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen – that was the blunt-nosed philosophy of catering tutor, Gary Butcher, when he took on a Gordon Ramsey-style abrasiveness for just one day!
It was all in the interests of team-building, when Warrington Collegiate became a ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ challenge for Lancaster University catering students seeking four-star culinary honours.
Said Gary: “Each team had to cook either an Indian, Italian, Chinese or French meal. I adopted a Ramsay-type persona to give them a hard time. It was a real Hell’s Kitchen”.
On hand to help the Collegiate students was Dave Chapman, executive chef at Warrington’s Lord Daresbury Hotel.
Lancaster University spokesman, Paul Blackmore, said: “Colleagues said it was their best staff training day. We’ve really enjoyed preparing the food. But it can get pretty hot in the kitchen”.
He added: “The hospitality and catering team were a credit to the Collegiate. They delivered a professional, well-organised day – despite it being a college first”.
Company fined for
demolishing building
by court reporter
A DEMOLITION contractor has been ordered by the courts to pay ?16,500 for
the unauthorised demolition of listed buildings in Warrington
The demolition contractors, DDS Ltd, pleaded guilty at Warrington
Magistrates Court to two charges relating to the unauthorised
demolition of the listed Bay Horse Public House on Winwick Street,
Warrington and the adjoining building 54-56 Winwick Street.
The prosecution was brought by the borough council following the demolition of
buildings earlier this year.
The company was fined ?8,000 for each building and costs of ?500 – a
total of ?16,500.
Magistrates accepted the contractor’s defence that works had been carried
out as a result of a breakdown in communications with the planning
consultant and the developer relating to the demolition of other buildings,
which were not listed, on the same site.
The fact they had made no financial gains and submitted prompt guilty pleas
was also taken into account.
John Groves, the borough council’s head of development control, said: “We are satisfied at the outcome of this prosecution as it demonstrates how seriously both the council and the courts will deal with breaches of planning control for
listed buildings, even when there may be arguments to justify a breach.
“It would clearly have been better if the buildings had remained until a
proper debate had taken place over the potential development of the site.
That way we could fully assess the condition, historic and architectural
value of these buildings. The level of penalty should be seen as a clear
deterrent to any works to a listed building which have not been accepted or
approved by the Council.”
How rubbish dumps can
save the red squirrel
by Terry Johnson
RUBBISH-dumps are to help conserve rare red squirrels at a country park in Warrington.
Landfill Tax recouped from waste tips will be invested in protecting the native red squirrel within the children’s zoo of Walton Hall Gardens.
The red squirrel is under threat of extinction from the invasive American grey, which has taken over parkland surrounding the former Greenall brewing family mansion.
It will have a new ‘island habitat’ behind wire fences in a corner of the showpiece park.The aggressive grey will be locked out.
A spokesman for the mini-zoo said: “It’s great news that cash is to be pumped i
nto conserving this very beautiful creature.
“Sadly, it has been wiped out in many areas. Without intervention, its total demise is only a matter of time.”
Warrington has been dubbed the North-West’s biggest tipping site, receiving large quantities of waste from local authorities, including Manchester.
But to its benefit the town has found that ‘where there’s muck, there’s money’.
Landfill Tax is putting cash back into the economy.
The Trans-Pennine Trail, between the village of Thelwall and Warrington, is to undergo ?40,000 improvement.
A further ?35,000 will transform neglected public open space in Lander Close, Warrington. And the Rixton Claypits Nature Reserve, near Cadishead – home to the rare Great-Crested Newt and wild orchids – is to be improved.
Waste Recycling Group(WREN), which administers the windfall cash, is offering ?250,000 each to three local communities to provide new village halls.
Applications must be made by July 31 to its website www.wren.org.uk<P>
Funeral home re-opens
after refurbishment
by John Hendon
THIRTY four years after it opened, a Warrington funeral home has re-opened following a major refurbishment and renovation.
The Mayor, Coun Hans Mundry officially unlocked the doors to the Co-operative Funeral Service in Bewsey Road, Warrington.
Four representatives of local churches took part in the ceremony, the Rev Stephen Kingsnorth (Methodist), Father Christopher Cunningham (Roman Catholic). the Rev Nicky Lees, (Anglican and Warrington Council of Faiths) and Major David Garrad (Free Churches).
During the symbolic service, and in the presence of United Co-operatives President Bill Hoult, funeral home manager Tony Molyneux presented the building’s keys to the Mayor of Warrington.
Keys for each of the funeral home’s four chapels of rest were then given to the faith leaders for them to unlock before lit candles were placed inside and readings, prayers and a blessing took place.
The funeral home, on the corner of Bewsey Road and Froghall Lane, was built in 1971 and has undergone extensive renovation and refurbishment since February this year. Larger funeral arrangement rooms and more natural light, along with new furniture and decoration, contribute to the building’s new warm and comforting atmosphere.
Tony Molyneux, Funeral Home Manager, said: “After such extensive building work, funeral homes are often re-dedicated by a member of the clergy in order to bless the funeral home and formally mark the end of the restoration.
“The ceremony was also a valuable opportunity for members of the local clergy, who we work very closely with, to come and see the result of the transformation.”
The Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “I am proud and privileged to have been invited to attend the Service of Dedication of this newly refurbished funeral home.
“It is, without doubt, a difficult job for everyone involved but the dignity, compassion and empathy that is shown by staff, exemplifies the high standards that one would expect.
“After months of renovation and structural alterations, this funeral home now provides the people of Warrington with a larger number of funeral arrangement rooms and an environment that immediately puts people at ease, is welcoming and provides the highest of standards in every aspect of its operation.”
Car did not stop
after m-way crash
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are seeking witnesses of an accident on the M62 at Croft, near Warrington when a car alleged to have been involved in the incident failed to stop.
A motorist ended up in Warrington Hospital with serious neck injuries as a result of the crash on Sunday morning.
The crash occurred on the motorway’s eastbound carriageway when a car – believed to be a grey Peugeot 206, joined the motorway from a slip road.
A van driver claims he was forced to swerve to avoid the car, causing another car following him to serve. This car was in collision with a fourth vehicle, a car, which collided with the central reservation.
It was the driver of the fourth vehicle who suffered injuries.
Police stress that it has not been confirmed that the events occurred in the way described.
But they are seeking witnesses and would also like to speak to the driver of the grey Peugeot.
Anyone who can help is asked to call PC Colin Eastwood on 01244 30000.
[ 19.07.2005, 08:40: Message edited by: DS ]
