Cleaning up “dirty” legacy
of town’s industrial past
by David Skentelbery
FIVE years after Warrington formally adopted a strategy for identifying and cleaning up contaminated land, it could still take more than 10 years to complete the work.
The town has 644 known contaminated sites ? but some of these have already been wholly or partly dealt with and no longer pose a risk, according to a report by environmental health and protection manager Phil Woods.
Contaminated sites are ranked according to the level of risk and Warrington has 309 classified as ?high?, 279 as ?medium? and 40 as ?low.? A further 15 sites have yet to be categorised.
The main sites currently within the work programme are at Sankey Bridges, the former Burtonwood Repair Depot ? part of the airbase site ? closed landfill sites at Gatewarth and Westy Park.
Mr Woods says contaminated land can pose a risk to health, pollute the environment, contaminate food and water supplies and damage buildings. It can provide a challenge and an opportunity in regeneration projects and brownfield developments.
Warrington has a substantial legacy of potential contamination due to its industrial past. The planning system today ensure that new developments are on land suitable for their use.
But risks posed by contamination were not routinely considered until the late 1980s to many homes and areas of public open space may have been developed in unsuitable locations.
Warrington has identified potentially contaminated sites on the basis of historic information. The aim is to deal with the most pressing problems first. Not all will pose a risk but all with have to reviewed to protect public safety.
Costs can be significant, but grants are available from the Government. Where possible, enquiries are made to find the original polluter. If this cannot be done, the liability falls on the owner or occupier of the land.
However, costs can be waived on the grounds of hardship if a landowner is unable to pay.
Mr Woods said: ?Completion of the strategy is a long-term process and it is likely to take in excess of 10 years to complete. Efforts will be made to reduce this timescale whenever possible.?
Council bans filming
at water tower home
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs have served an enforcement notice on TV producer Russell Harris requiring him to stop using his Lymm home as a commercial film and television location.
Ironically, as the notice was served as Mr Harris’ home – the converted Lymm Water Tower – was being awarded a top national award for architecture.
The award was made by the Royal Institute of British Architects – and was the 12th award scooped by Mr Harris’ conversion of the Grade 2 listed tower in Tower Lane in the last 12 months.
It was the only RIBA award of its type in the North West this year.
The notice served by Warrington Borough Council followed complaints from neighbours of parking and traffic problems caused by film and TV crews filming a furniture commercial at the tower.
They claimed Mr Harris was advertising his home as a filming location on the internet.
There were similar complaints last year when residents of Tower Lane, Higher Lane and The Crescent claimed their drives had been blocked by parked vehicles.
Then, Mr Harris’ wife, Jannette, admitted that on one occasion the scale of activity had been unacceptable and said that in future only small scale filming, which would not breach planning guidelines, would be allowed.
But local councillor Sheila Woodyatt said: “It has happened again. I have had complaints from people in Tower Lane and The Crescent who say enough is enough.
“The council has not given permission for the recent filming sessions which caused disruption for several days, nor any previous sessions. An enforcement officer has visited the site and has photographic evidence of what has gone on.
“Mr Harris has a right of appeal which could lead to a public inquiry, or he could apply for planning consent which we can oppose through the planning system.”
Mr Harris, who spent years converting the century old tower and made a television documentary on the project, declined to comment on the enforcement notice.
But he said: “I am immensely proud of the awards the Tower has received and this latest is the icing on the cake. The award is to the architects, Ellis Williams of Preston Brook, but we worked very closely with them on the project and are thrilled to have received the award. It is the most prestigious of them all and will mean we can place a plaque on the wall.”
Cycling bobbies clock up
?6,000 for sick children
by Terry Johnson
THREE cycling bobbies from Warrington have helped raise the spirits of terminally-ill children with an epic 950-mile ride.
The saddle-sore cops – Sergeants’ Derek Lockie and Mike O’Carroll, Constable Jeff Mather and Wilmslow-based PC Andy Murray – pushed themselves from Land’s End to John O’Groats over 12 days to raise ?6,000.
Some days saw them riding 10 hours – finishing around 9.00pm hardly able to speak.
The cash they raised benefits The Rainbow Family Trust, which cares for children with a short life expectancy, and Francis House Children’s Hospice, Didsbury.
Said PC Mather, who manned the support vehicle: “We’re absolutely overwhelmed with the total support received from the public, our colleagues and sponsors.
“One woman in Loch Lomand stopped to talk to us. She gave ?10 out of her purse. There were countless others up and down the country who did the same”.
D&M Cycles, of Great Sankey, Warrington, serviced the bikes and provided a spares back-up, while Polar Ford provided Galaxy MPV support. WA Shearings hotels offered accommodation and promoted the charities to their guests.
The team now hopes to raise a further ?4,000 by October through other events. They also have their sights on running the New York Marathon next year to maintain funding momentum.
Donations can be received by PC Andy Murray on 07880-743150.
Pupils made stars for
remembrance service
KIND-hearts from Warrington’s St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School made stars for a special town remembrance service.
The event at Walton Lea Crematorium was organised by the borough council’s Bereavement Services.
Youngsters from St Benedict’s shaped stars for the annual Service of Remembrance which linked in to the theme, ?the shape of life?.
Said Angela Dunn, Bereavement Services Manager: “The children helped make the day a very special one. We hope to continue building partnerships with schools and local communities”.
A chance to
quiz the police
by John Hendon
THE next meeting of Warrington Police Forum will take place at the Town Hall on Tuesday, July 18 at 7pm.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to talk to local police officers and have their say on policing matters in the town.
A presentation of the work and powers of Community Support Officers will lbe given, along with an update on the Government?s proposals for restructuring the police service.
Coun Peter Walker, chairman of the Forum said: ?This meeting will provide an opportunity for the people of Warrington to discuss policing issues with the Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Nick Ingram and members of the Police Authority. Anyone can come along and I would urge all of those who have concerns or an interest in policing to attend on the 18th.?
History buffs
can get together
by staff reporter
LOCAL history buffs at Culcheth are being given a chance to meet like-minded people.
Warrington Library, Museum and Archives Service is inviting them to join a new local history group based at Culcheth Library on the second Thursday of every month (except August ) from 7 pm – 9 pm to share in the revelations of the village’s past
The first meeting is being held on T
hursday, July 13 and will be led by Claire Teague, local heritage access officer.
For more information about the sessions, telephone Culcheth Library on 01925 763293 or Wendy at Warrington Library on 01925 442732.
