Tough road safety lesson
for young offenders
by David Skentelbery
A HARD hitting road safety message has been delivered to more than 100 young offenders in Warrington in a bid to save lives.
The Cheshire Police “Drive Survive” course, which aims to change driver behaviour, took to the road for the first time – and its destination was Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute at Appleton Thorn.
About 120 inmates witnessed a graphic display put on by the emergency services in conjunction with Warrington Hospital’s A&E department.
They staged a road traffic collision together with a rescue which involved a motorway Range Rover, a fire engine from Stockton Heath and an ambulance used for training at Mersey Regional Ambulance Service HQ.
Thirty per cent of the offenders in the audience were serving sentences for causing a death on the roads.
The Drive Survive team delivered the course, complete with road traffic collision demonstration, to drivers with first hand experience of causing a death on the road. The course was designed to alter future driving behaviour, to educate young drivers and prevent them from re-offending in the future – ultimately saving lives.
Inmates from Thorn Cross often attend the Drive Survive course which is run at Fire HQ in Winsford but this was the first time the team had taken the course to Thorn Cross.
The aim was to make the youngsters think about the implications of their actions while in charge of a vehicle – they could end up taking someone else’s life or their own life or change their futures dramatically.
PC Martin Clark, of the Road Policing Unit, who co-ordinated the course said: “It’s vitally important young people are made aware of the grief caused to families, friends and work colleagues when someone dies as a result of a road traffic collision. The course illustrates how a road traffic collision can have far reaching consequences not just financially but emotionally and how the emotional trauma can last a life time.
“This was the first time we have taken the Drive Survive course outside and it was a major success. It was particularly graphic and was an opportunity to illustrate the potential consequences of driver’s actions.”
Town’s huge response to
electoral registration
by John Hendon
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington say there has been a huge response from residents to the borough council’s call to register their details for elections. Electoral Registration forms were delivered to all households across the borough as part of the Annual Canvass, which aims to ensure everyone entitled to vote at Parliamentary and Local Government elections doesn’t miss out. The forms contain details of how voters can register on line and by phone and already more than 15,000 registrations have been done this way – resulting in reductions in the cost of canvassing for the council. Voters can now register their details on a free phone number and also by using the Internet. Details of how to do this are printed on the form.
The council has joined forces with the Electoral Reform Services (ERS) to help join one of the largest registration projects to date.
Telephone registration means registration updates are immediate and more accurate and there are massive reductions in the costs of canvassing for the council.
For people whose details remain unchanged, re-registering could not be any easier. By simply dialling the freephone number and keying in the security code (as printed on the form) electors can confirm their details and hang up.
The service is fully automated and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the canvass period which ends on November 18.
The registration systems, both telephone and internet, also accommodate the new ‘opt-out’ rules allowing people to add or remove their names from the version of the electoral register used by mailing companies.
Applications for postal votes can also be handled.
Leader of the council John Joyce said: “The council is very pleased with the response from residents to the system. The phone number and internet make it easier and quicker for voters to register their details and I would encourage all eligible people to register their vote.”
Man arrested after
betting shop raid
by David Skentelbery
A MAN brandishing a wooden club got away with cash from a Warrington betting shop after threatening staff.
The raid was at Causeway Racing in Marsh House Lane.
Police say the offender entered the premises wielding a wooden implement, demanded cash and threatened staff.
Subsequently a 23-year-old local man was arrested and is helping police with their enquiries.
But detectives are still anxious to talk to witnesses – particularly anyone who may have been in the betting shop at the time of the raid.
They would also like to hear from anyone in the Marsh House Lane or Fothergill Street area at the time of the robbery, about 6.15 pm on Monday (August 22).
Anyone who can help should call DC Mark McManus or DS Keith McCauseland on 01244 614893.
Borough’s A Level
performance “excellent”
by staff reporter
STUDENTS in Warrington have been celebrating excellent achievements in this year’s A and AS Level results.
Returns from schools suggest that performance this year is again high. Around 97 per cent of A Level papers achieved grades A-E and around 63 per cent of papers achieved higher grades of A-C.
Increasing numbers of pupils are choosing to study the new Vocational A Levels, which offer a wider choice of subjects to pupils. More than 15 per cent of papers taken this year were the new vocational subjects.
Colin Froggatt, (pictured)the borough council’s executive member for Children’s Services, said: “The information we are receiving from our schools suggests A Level results in Warrington this year are very good and that students are taking a wider range of subjects than ever before.
“This greater range of subjects available at A Level does seem to be encouraging more pupils to stay in full time education after the age of 16. I would like to congratulate all students and staff for their hard work in achieving such good results.”
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) produces Performance Tables for A Level results in mid-November. These can be obtained from the DfES by phoning 0800 24 23 22 or direct from their website www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables
Moves to end the agony
of match day parking
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SERIES of parking restrictions have been introduced around Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium and Tesco store to alleviate traffic problems in the area – and to end the agony of match day parking for local residents.
An order to introduce no waiting at any time has been made for sections of several roads including Gladstone Street, Battersby Lane, St Peter’s Way, Walker Street, Allen Street and Paul Street.
A further order to allow “residents only” parking covers sections of a series of road including Bewsey Street, Arthur Street and Gladstone Street. A specified number of parking spaces are listed for each road.
Further sections of roads are designed for residents parking, with a two-hour time limit specified. This covers sections of Allen Street, Bewsey Street, Gladstone Street and Walker Street.
Other sections of road have been designated for residents parking on match days between 11am and 10.30am. Watkin Street, Hale Street, Forster Street and Earl Street are among those included.
A full copy of the order may be examined at the Legal Services Section Quattro Building, New Town House, Buttermarket Street, during office hours Monday to Friday.
Anyone who wishes to question the validity of the order must apply to the High Court within six weeks of August 12.
Schoolboy burglar
on a
mountain bike
by John Hendon
A SCHOOLBOY burglar got away with a purse containing cash and credit cards from a house in Norden Close, Locking Stumps, Warrington.
The boy – aged 15 or 16 – gained entry to the house through an insecure side door and took the purse from the kitchen table.
He was spotted by a neighbour – but said he was looking for a football.
The boy was slim, about 5ft 8 inches tall and had dark brown hair. He was wearing white shorts and a pale blue tee shirt with a football badge on it. He had a silver mountain bike.
Police are seeking witnesses. Anyone who can help should call DC Mick Gee or PC Stuart Berry on 01925 652222.
Allotments for
the disabled
by staff reporter
NEW allotments, specially designed to be user-friendly for the elderly and people with disabilities, are being opened today (Wednesday).
The allotments in Battery Lane, Woolston, will be officially opened at 11am. The specially designed plots have been funded by several organisations, including Warrington Borough Council and Woolston Parish Council.
