Highways chiefs won’t
support Omega scheme
by David Skentelbery
HIGHWAYS chiefs at Warrington say they cannot support proposals for the long-awaited Omega project ? the scheme which could provide thousands of new jobs for the town.
An outline planning application for the first two phases of the giant project, straddling the M62 at Burtonwood, comes before the borough council?s development control committee next week.
Planners are recommending approval ? but the borough council?s own highways officers say they cannot support approval of the proposals.
They say that given the already congested nature of Warrington?s road network, almost all junctions on the west side of the town and also junctions around the town centre are likely to suffer some impact.
The main focus of the impact will be in the north west quadrant of Warrington where as many as 55 junctions will be affected, with at least 100 additional passenger car units travelling through them. Eight of these junction are ?critical to the operation of the road network? say the highways experts.
They say they are not happy with improvement works proposed at Junction 8 of the M62 where high traffic flows on the motorway would force motorway traffic to re-route through local roads, causing much increased levels of congestion.
The Highways Agency has also expressed concerns. Although they have reached agreement with applicants Omega Developments Ltd, on the first two phases of the project, they say it will cause traffic flows significantly exceeding those originally envisaged and effectively prevent further phases of Omega was ever coming forward.
Officials at the Government Office for the North West say they need to decide whether the scheme should be ?called in? for a decision by the Secretary of State and have directed the council not to grant permission without special authorisation.
Nearby residents have lodged objections on the grounds of noise, pollution, traffic congestion, vibration and the inadequacy of Junction 8 which, they say, is ?disgraceful and a scandalous waste of pupil money.?
Planning officers say the council has to decide whether the ?need? for Omega?s first two phases outweighs the negative impacts. They are recommending that outline planning consent be approved.
It is seven years since the green light was given for the new Junction 8, which is intended to cater for the Omega development.
The company has already contributed ?35 million towards motorway widening and the new junction and has pledged a further ?33 million on further highway improvements.
The Omega site – which includes part of the former US airbase at Burtonwood – first went on the market in 1987 when it was described as the North West’s “jewel in the crown.”
Since then the Swedish furniture giant IKEA, Marks and Spencer and a number of other firms have built stores on part of the land, but the majority remains empty.
CCTV images of
mountain bike thug
by John Hendon
POLICE have issued CCTV images in a bid to track down a hooded thug who attacked and robbed a 17-year-old youth as he walked to work in the early hours of the morning.
The robbery took place on August 15 and was reported by Warrington-Worldwide at the time.
But police have so far failed to trace the attacker and hope the pictures will help identify him.
The victim was walking along Callands Road when he was approached by a youth in his late teens who was riding a Blue Spray BMX bike that was too small for him and was accompanied by a black and tan Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The offender stopped him and demanded money.
When the youth refused the offender grabbed him, searched him and took a small amount of cash before leaving the scene. But later he was seen again near the Spar shop in Callands Road.
Police say the attacker was about 5ft 9 inches tall and was wearing dark trainer bottoms, a grey hooded top and a baseball cap.
Anyone who can help is asked to call DC Ian Hampson on 01244 613845.
University backs World?s
Biggest Coffee Morning
by Gary Skentelbery
Students and staff at the University of Chester Warrington campus will join scores of others across the globe for the World?s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday, September 29, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
All catering outlets across both Warrington and Chester campuses will be supporting the event by serving coffee in return for a reasonable donation for the charity, which makes a difference to the lives of people living with cancer.
Jointly organised by Warrington-based Sue Coggins, Clinical Nurse Manager of Student Support and Guidance, and Audra Selley, Mental Health Support Nurse, this is the first year the University has taken part in the annual international event.
Sue said: ?Cancer touches so many people?s lives; it is such a worthwhile cause. Upon receipt of a reasonable cash donation people will receive a special homemade biscuit to accompany their coffee.?
For staff that are unavailable to donate on the day there will be a game-card circulating the University. Sponsored by NPower, this will cost just a pound to play and the winner will receive up to ?6,000 in vouchers.
The Macmillan World?s Biggest Coffee Morning is one of the most successful one day fundraising events in the UK, where two million people had a coffee for Macmillan last year and helped to raise a staggering ?6.5 million for people living with cancer.
Church aid for
village well
by Mark Hemmings
WORSHIPPERS at a Warrington church are helping to improve the lives of villagers in a remote area of Kenya.
The congregation at Latchford Baptist Church are raising money to help provide a proper water supply in an area where villagers ? often children ? face a daily four mile trek to obtain a meagre supply.
Villagers at Uloma, in the Bondo district of Kenya, are digging a well at a site found by surveyors with the help of funding from the Latchford church.
Deacon Alan Critchley said: “We learned of the plight of villagers having to walk four miles for their daily supply of water, often children having to get the water before going to school at 7.30am.
“Many ways of helping were considered, but it was agreed that supplying water would be the most beneficial, and our first consideration was to provide the funding for a borehole.”
When the 75 ft deep shaft is completed and a petrol driven pump provided, the village will have a supply of clean water for the first time.
Alan said: “It’s the thought of the villagers being able to grow their own food and water their cattle that encourages us so much. Children will then be able to attend school without first having to carry water.”
All the funds raised are being controlled by a group of church people in the Uloma village who are in direct contact with the Latchford congregation.
Anyone who can offer financial help towards the project is advisd to make a donation to Latchford Baptist Church (marked for the Uloma appeal) Loushers Lane, Warrington, WA4 2RP.
Make a will – and
help a charity
by staff reporter
PEOPLE who have not yet made a will can do so in aid of charity ? and Warrington North MP Helen Jones is urging them to do just that.
Ms Jones says people who make a will through Will Aid can support one of the UK?s most respected charities.
Will Aid is a partnership between solicitors and the nine charities. The solicitors will draw up a basic will free of charge ? and people can then choose to make a donation to one of the participating charities.
The MP said: ?The donation will enable people to gain the equipment, skills, services and support they need to change their lives for the better both here in the UK and overseas.? Suggested donation level is ?75 for a single will, ?110 for a pair of matching or ?mirror? wills or ?40 for a codicil to an existing will.
People ca
n check the list of local participating solicitors, available on the Will Aid website www.willaid.org.uk or phone their helpline 0870 60 60 239. A will making pack is also available.
Solicitors will draft wills under the scheme during November 2006.
The charities involved are: Actionaid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, NSPCC, Save the Children UK, SCIAF (Scotland), Sightsavers International, Trocaire (N Ireland).
Town’s care services
get clean bill of health
by staff reporter
OLDER People’s social care services are serving the people of Warrington well.
This is just one of the conclusions in the Commission for Social Care Inspections report of social care services for older people in Warrington.
The inspectors carried out the inspection earlier this year to assess the standards of adult social care services in Warrington.
They noted that the benefits of the new Community Services Directorate, introduced in April last year, are beginning to emerge and that the capacity for improvement was promising.
The report also noted that the range of services and the satisfaction expressed by service users was positive.
The effective working relationships between the council and partner organisations to achieve its aims was also highlighted.
As part of the review the inspectors carried out fieldwork questionnaires and interviews with service users, carer, fieldworkers, council staff, and representatives from the health and voluntary organisations and service providers.
The service will also be taking on board and working on the recommendations in the report which included develop service plans to promote social inclusion for older people, ensure that staff are effectively supported with IT.
Coun Roy Smith, the council?s executive member for Community Services, said: “We have been making continuous improvements to our care services for older people and the new Community Services Directorate has created a more coordinated approach and helped us to deliver a wide range of service improvements.
“The services provided to people are vital and we are committed to delivering them and meeting people’s needs.
“As the report states the capacity for improvement at Warrington is promising and obviously we will take onboard the recommendations in the report and continue with improving the services and meeting the needs of older people across the borough.?
[ 24.09.2006, 11:39: Message edited by: DS ]
