Second thoughts on
death tragedy lane?
by David Skentelbery
HIGHWAYS chiefs appear to be having second thoughts over the early re-opening of Stockton Lane, Grappenhall, near Warrington ? where two teenagers tragically died when their car plunged into the Bridgewater Canal.
Warrington Borough Council is to extend the temporary closure of the road until January next year ? and a public meeting is to take place next week when options for improving safety will be discussed.
The meeting is to take place at The Quays Community Centre in Thelwall New Road, Thelwall on Wednesday (June 28).
Earlier this year, Town Hall chiefs said the temporary closure had already gone on longer than was originally envisaged and put forward proposals which, they claimed, would improve safety at the spot where the tragedy occurred.
But the proposals were condemned as ?totally inadequate? by Coun Mike Biggin (pictured), father of 17-year-old Gemma Biggin, one of the two teenagers to die, and a member of Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council.
Since then, Coun Biggin has been elected a member of the borough council.
He said: ?I am pleased the highway engineers are now showing a willingness to listen to other options. I am looking forward to next week?s meeting.
Stockton Lane has been closed to traffic since a car carrying four teenagers plunged into the canal at a sharp bend on November 28, 2004.
The driver, Stephen Abbott, 17 and front seat passenger Gemma, both drowned but two other boys, Jake Edwards and Anthony Bond, managed to escape.
At the inquest last year, coroner Nicholas Rheinberg called for action on what he called a “gross and obvious danger” on the lane.
The borough council revealed three months ago it was considering a partial one-way system and reflective marker posts to form a ?visual barrier? and define the edge of the carriageway. But they ruled out a crash barrier between the road and the canal.
Coun Biggin, the parish council and nearby residents have all condemned the proposals as inadequate. But they are now optimistic that the council can come up with more acceptable proposals.
Conservation area homes:
planners to inspect site
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs are to visit the site of a controversial residential development before deciding if it can go ahead.
Members of Warrington?s development control committee will go and look at Berkeley House ? the former Lymm Urban Council offices in Whitbarrow Road, Lymm.
Plans have been submitted for conversion of the property ? currently offices but largely unoccupied ? to five apartments.
Lymm Parish Council has lodged objections, as has local borough councillor Sheila Woodyatt and nearby residents.
The property is a late 19th or early 20th century building with a prominent tower feature, locally listed and within the Lymm Conservation Area.
Coun Woodyatt says the building is totally unsuited for conversion to flats because of its location and lack of parking.
She says there is an existing parking problem in Brookfield Road which would be worsened ? and points out that there is an embargo on residential development in Warrington at present.
The parish council says the appearance of the building should not be altered and claims there would be insufficient parking for residents.
Parking and traffic problems are also flagged up by neighbours, one of who has written: ?Please don?t let this beautiful building be turned into more expensive apartments and bought by people who care nothing for the area.? Some residents say the building to be preserved for community use as there is a need for a local meeting room.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.
Sam gets her wings –
before she can drive!
by Mark Hemmings
TEENAGER Samantha Smythe has got her wings ? after gaining the coveted European Private Pilot?s Licence.
Samantha, from Stockton Heath, a product of the aviation course at Warrington?s Priestley College, obtained her licence following an intensive period of training with Shropshire Aero club.
The 19-year-old is now a qualified pilot – ahead of passing her driving test!
Samantha began flying after joining Priestley, where she became an active member of the aviation and potential officers courses. She made her first solo flight after just 15 hours of flying instruction.
She said: “Flying solo is always the magical moment in any pilot’s career and I well recall the applause that I received from my family and friends after I landed.
“From that moment I was determined to achieve my full pilot qualification. All the hard work was worth the tremendous thrill and sense of achievement in flying an aircraft completely alone for the first time.”
Samantha had to train for her qualifying cross-country navigational exam, involving a 150-mile flight to Gloucester with two landings en route, making practical decisions on weather and possible diversions.
A period of intensive advanced flying prepared her for her final general flight handling test. She had to wait several weeks for the right weather conditions, as the exam involved stalling and spinning an aircraft from a minimum height of 3000 feet.
Samantha hopes that her achievement in becoming a pilot will encourage more girls to consider careers in aviation.
“I am looking forward to flying my family and friends all over the UK and Europe and eventually to teaching others to fly,? she said.
Five star ratings
for care homes
by staff reporter
SIX care homes run by Making Space – the Warrington-based charity which supports people with severe mental illness – have been awarded top ratings following an independent assessment of care quality.
The Residential and Domiciliary Benchmarking scheme (RDB) – the leading care assessment organisation – has given the top five star rating to Norkfolk House and Ashwood Court at Wigan, Sherdley Court and Greengate Court at St Helens and Palmyra at Sefton.
Kingshill, at Wigan, has been awarded four stars.
The achievement marks Making Space’s on-going pursuit of excellence in service provision.
It follows accreditation with Investor in People (IOP) status in 2004 of the registered care homes and independent hospital managed by the charity.
IOP accreditation confirmed unreservedly the commitment of Making Space to support a highly trained and competent workforce in the provision of person-centred quality services.
Making Space continued its pursuit of excellence by seeking accreditation from RDB, which places the individual service user at the heart of the quality model and which exists to promote and facilitate the delivery of excellent care and encourage quality provided’
A Making Space spokesman said: “The service assessments of Making Space`s registered care homes in Wigan, St Helens and Sefton, reiterated our commitment to excellence in service provision.”
MP to present
volunteer awards
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones is presenting the certificates at the second annual Home-Start Warrington Volunteer Awards Day today (Friday).
The event is at Winwick Leisure Centre, in Myddleton Lane and the certificates are being presented at 11.30am.
The home-visiting volunteers last year provided 1240 hours supporting families in Warrington and to recognise that valuable contribution to Home-Start Warrington, the following certificates are to be presented:
Successful completion of the Home-Start Preparation Course.
Long service recognition for continued support and commitment.
Volunteers who have completed courses in basic food hygiene, mancap training and supporting people with learning disabilities.
Volunteer of the Year.
Home-Start is a registered charity that recruits and trains volunteers who are parents themselves to help families with young children.
News in brief
Youth rescued
FIREFIGHTERS were called to Orford Youth Centre, Capesthorne Road, Orford, Warrington to rescue a youth trapped on the roof after climbing up to retrieve a football. The youngsters was unhurt.
Yellow Day
PUPILS of Ravenbank Primary School, Lymm raised ?574 for St Rocco’s Hospice, Warrington, by staging a “Yellow Day” when pupils all wore yellow clothing and ran a cake stall and other stalls.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 7, 10 and 14. There was one winner for the ?991 jackpot and the ?25 consolation prize went to “Maria”.
Driving ban
WARRINGTON Borough Council is to make an order for the temporary prohibition of driving on Marsh House Lane, Warrington from Monday, July 17 to allow a sewer connection to service new property. It is expected the closure will be necessary for three weeks.
Police meeting
A POLICE Community Action Meeting (CAM) is to be held at Penketh High School, Penketh, Warrington on Monday, June 26. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and will give local people a chance to discuss policing matters with local police and community support officers.
Kitchen fire
AN unattended chip pan left on a cooker caused a kitchen fire at a house in Bramhall Street, Warrington, last night. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze but there was severe smokelogging in the house.
[ 18.01.2008, 10:41: Message edited by: DS ]
