Power plant clean-up
will cut acid rain
by Terry Johnson
ACID rain falling on Warrington – and across a swathe of Britain and Europe – is to be cut by over 90 per cent – thanks to a major clean-up at the Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station.
The Government has given the go-ahead to sulphur-dioxide busting technology at the massive coal-burning plant, which can light-up and heat cities….but at a cost of polluting the skies.
Flue-gas desulphurisation will contain the harmful combustion gases which lead to the chemical rain which wilts vegetation and damages buildings.
Scottish and Southern Energy, which operates Fiddler’s Ferry, will turn the polluting gases into de-sulpho gypsum.
Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, said the investment in cleaner coal technology was a big step forward.
“Coal and other fossil fuels remain vital ingredients in our energy mix. But we need to reduce the impact that burning them has on our environment.
“Fitting this new technology at Fiddler’s Ferry will help reduce the damaging effects of acid rain”.
Injection of limestone slurry will absorb the harmful gases.
Fiddler’s Ferry is one of Europe’s largest coal-burning plants. It was built at a time when environmental concerns were less strident.
Demand for winter energy has led to its projected life being extended.
Its siting on Cuerdley marshes, west of Warrington, satisfies the power plants’ huge thirst for Mersey water.
Sports minister to open
Wolves’ “learning centre”
by Terry Johnson
MINISTER for Sport Richard Caborn is officially opening an inspirational ?Playing for Success? learning centre in Warrington today (Monday).
Some 2,000 Warrington schoolchildren, aged 10 to 14, have been groomed by Rugby League-backed ?Playing for Success?.
The development centre was at Wilderspool Stadium from 2001-05. It moved to the new Halliwell Jones Stadium last September and is now integral to Warrington Wolves’ Sport and Learning Foundation.
Mr Caborn will open and tour the new facility and meet some of its eager participants.
The partnership-based centre aims to improve literacy, numeracy and IT skills among schoolchildren – building confidence and self-esteem through sport in the setting of a uniquely motivational ?classroom?.
The learning centre is run by two teachers, supported by tutor-mentors and first-team players Steve Pickersgill, Ben Harrison and Richie Barnett.
Ninety-seven sports clubs have opened study centres, including FA Premiership and Rugby Super League sides.
Said Steve Pickersgill: “As a mentor, I encourage children to learn through their interest in the sport. Education and sport are linked and the Wolves engage with the local community”.
Mobile phone mast will
meet strong opposition
by John Hendon
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 40ft high mobile phone mast will meet strong opposition when they come before Warrington?s development control committee on Wednesday.
The proposed Vodafone mast in Blackbrook Avenue, Cinnamon Brow, is opposed by local residents and by local councillors Brian Maher and Colin Oliver.
They are concerned about residential amenity because of the close proximity of the proposed mast to houses, the impact on the street scene and health issues.
Residents have raised similar issues ? and also fear an impact on local property values.
But planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved. They said Vodafone has demonstrated a need for improved network coverage in the area and the mast will harmonise with surrounding street furniture and landscaping.
They point out that Government advice on health concerns is that the installation does not present a hazard.
They say the nearest houses are some 135ft away and the mast is screened from them by mature trees.
Council’s concern over
planning “inconsistency”
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall bosses at Warrington have expressed concern over ?inconsistency? by the Government?s Planning Inspectorate following two recent appeal decisions.
A planning inspector has thrown out an appeal by a developer who wanted to demolish workshops in Padgate Lane and building housing on the site.
He ruled the development would have breached planning guidance which seeks to limit new housing development in the Warrington area.
The decision has been welcomed by the council.
But director of environmental services Alan Stephenson said it was in stark contrast to a recent decision in Penketh where an inspector granted permission on appeal because he considered there was a lack of evidence to substantiate the policy of restraint.
He said: ?Whilst policy is always evolving and the two decisions have taken place as the Unitary Development Plan has been in the process of formal adoption, there is inconsistency in approach.
?It is considered appropriate to relay concern over inconsistency of approach to the Planning Inspectorate and to seek their observations.?
Mr Stephenson said any future case relating to housing supply would include all figures necessary to substantiate the restraint policy.
Village artists plan a
giant “modern Lowry”
by Terry Johnson
THE creative talent of dozens of artists – amateur and professional, young and old – is being harnessed to produce a unique ?modern Lowry? for Lymm village centre.
A giant version of the matchstick men-and-dogs artist’s ?Village Square? painting is planned to hang in Lymm in celebration of the popular summer village festival.
Artist volunteers will be asked to produce the copy of Lowry’s work in jigsaw pieces, which will be fitted together by the 3rd Lymm Scouts to form a giant painting for the village food-fest on June 29.
A festival spokesman said: “This is a real challenge for Lymm’s artists to have some fun. The painting concept is similar to Rolf Harris’ presentation for the BBC’s ‘The Big Event’, when dozens of artists created gigantic versions of famous paintings.
“We are looking for artists in Lymm to add their own individual touches. The more artists who take part will ensure the size of the final painting.
Entry forms are available from early May from Harrison Business Supplies and Wright’s of Lymm, who provide artists’ materials. Entries must be registered by May 26.
Family escape
from blaze house
by David Skentelbery
A FAMILY escaped from a smoke-filled house at Warrington during the night after fire broke out involving a washing machine.
The blaze was in Heath Road, Penketh and the family were alerted when smoke detectors went off.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “If it hadn’t been for the smoke alarm, we would have had to rescue this family. As it was, they were able to evacuate the house comfortably.”
The washing machine was destroyed and the ground floor filled with smoke but no-one was hurt.
It is believed the fire was started by an electrical fault.
