Water giant given deadline
to solve flooding problem
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON-based United Utilities has been given a deadline to come up with a scheme to halt the repeated flooding of homes at Penketh and Great Sankey – literally on its doorstep.
Ofwat ? the water industry watchdog organisation ? says it believes the company is in breach of its obligations and has failed to satisfy them that they have any viable or coherent scheme to address flooding issues within the catchment area.
Warrington South MP Helen Southworth has also met bosses at the utilities giant to demand action to halt flooding in the area.
She has had complaints from more than 40 householders about their homes being flooded with waste water and effluent.
There has also been flooding in Liverpool Road, Sankey Bridges with the water rising within inches of pouring into homes.
Mrs Southworth (pictured) said: ?United Utilities have been promising remedial action for years but haven’t done it. This just won’t do. I am demanding urgent effective action to sort this out.”
The MP has also had discussion with Ofwat.
She said: ?They have written to United Utilities, giving the company a deadline to come up with a scheme to halt the repeat flooding.
?Ofwat says: ?We remain of the view that the company is in breach of its obligations under section 94 of the Act and has failed to satisfy us that they have any viable or coherent scheme to address the flooding issues within the catchment area….
?If we are not satisfied that the company will be able to comply with its statutory obligations at the end of this 12 month period we will proceed to consider to what extent and under what terms it is appropriate to issue an enforcement notice against them under sections 18 and 19 of the Water Industry Act 1991.”
Mrs Southworth is contacting people in the Penketh and Great Sankey area to find out how many homes in total are affected.
She said, “I want to make sure this issue is properly dealt with by United Utilities. We need to identify the full extent of the problem to get it sorted.”
The MP wants anyone who has experienced flooding to their property to contact by post at 1a, Academy Place, Warrington, WA1 2NR or by email at [email protected] or by calling 01925 240002.
Richard Felton from United Utilities said: ?We thank residents for being extremely patient with us while we try to find the best way to alleviate sewer flooding problems in this area.
?We understand residents? frustrations at what appears to be a lack of progress. Our engineers are working hard behind the scenes to come up with a scheme that will bring a long-term solution to sewer problems in this area.
?Although this is still at the planning stages, United Utilities is committed to delivering an improvement scheme which benefits affected properties. We are aware of the Ofwat deadline and are working towards that date.?
Dentist and nurse
to run for charity
by John Hendon
A WARRINGTON dentist is preparing to take part in the world?s biggest half marathon to raise vital funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Robert Bland, who runs Rose Cottage dental surgery in Penketh, will be running with one of his dental nurses Sue Flanagan.
As a novel way of raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, he will be donating all the fees he receives from dental treatment carried out at his practice on the September 3.
Dr Bland is running for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust because his 10 year old niece Georgina has Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the UK?s most common, life-threatening inherited disease, claiming three young lives a week and affecting over 8,000 people. It is caused by a defective gene that clogs the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, with thick sticky mucus resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food.
The duo can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/robertbland.
Sponsorship money raised will help to fund gene therapy research, which hopes to stop CF from claiming so many young lives. It will also help provide support and advice to people living with CF.
The BUPA Great North Run celebrates its 27th anniversary with this year?s event on Sunday, September 30 and is a point-to-point course that starts in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and finishes in South Shields.
Entries are now closed but anyone with their own place who would like to join Team CF should contact their events team on 0845 859 1100 or by email at [email protected] All runners receive a complimentary running vest, fundraising pack, weekly newsletters and invite to post run hospitality complete with masseurs.
Police trace raiders’
getaway car
by staff reporter
A CAR used in an armed raid on a Warrington jeweller’s shop has been found by police.
The silver Skoda Octavia was found in Bedford Street, Stockton Heath – a short distance from the shop of A Baker and Sons in Walton Road, where the robbery took place.
Police believe the car – which had been stolen – was probably dumped there when the raiders transferred to another vehicle.
They are anxious to speak to anyone who may have seen the car being left in Bedford Street shortly after the raid at about 10.20am on Tuesday.
Four men brandishing sledgehammers took part in the raid. They forced their way into the shop, smashed display cabinets and took a substantial amount of jewellery.
They left in the Skoda, but police have also recovered a black Ford Focus C Max which they believe was used by the raiders.
Any who can assist police is asked to call 01244 6158 or the confidential Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.
WDP to have town
centre presence
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Disability Partnership is to open an information office in the town centre from next week.
They will be ?in residence? in the front office of The Gateway in Sankey Street three days a week until September to help promote their services to a wider audience.
A team of advisors available to members of the public or staff from other agencies on a Monday, Wednesday afternoon and Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Anyone who wants to know more about their services can call in. Advisors will be able to help on a range of issues, from employment and independent living to leisure, recreation and sport.
Further details are available on 01925 240064.
Elderly man robbed
by heartless thief
by John Hendon
AN elderly man was robbed of his wallet by a heartless doorstep thief at Warrington.
The man answered a knock at his door in Killingworth Lane, Birchwood yesterday to find a man claiming to be from the water board on his doorstep.
He talked his way into the house – and then stole the wallet, containing cash and a credit card, while the man was clearing property from a cupboard.
The man left in a large white van.
The world’s biggest
coffee morning
by John Hendon
THE Daresbury Hotel will launch Warrington?s contribution to this year?s World?s Biggest Coffee Morning with a special event on Tuesday, August 14.
The event will start at 7pm and local people who have hosted previous coffee mornings or are thinking of hosting them in future are invited.
There will be light refreshment and a complimentary drink, plus stalls and competitions.
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is one of the UK’s largest fundraising events with an estimated two million people raising their mugs for Macmillan last year, raising a magnificent ?6.7 million.
This year’s event will be on Friday September 28 ? and local organisers want to ensure it will be even better than last year.
A spokeswoman for Macmillan said: ?It will be a great opportunity for you and any of your friends to fin
d out more about the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in your local area and to share experiences with others. Also find out how Macmillan will use this money to support people affected by cancer.?
There will be a chance to chat with fellow hosts, supporters and Macmillan nurses.
More information is available from Aimee Scally on 01925 846 762 or email [email protected]
Special meeting on
future of beauty spot
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SPECIAL meeting is being held tonight (Thursday) to consider the future of the Ackers Pit beauty spot at Stockton Heath.
The meeting has been called by Stockton Heath Parish Council and will be held at the Sandy Lane Centre, Sandy Lane at 7.30pm.
It follows a number of stormy interventions by members of the public at the last two ordinary meetings of the council.
At one, councillors angered residents by going into private session to discuss the issue.
One residents had described the situation as ?one hell of a disaster.?
At another, residents suggested the lake could become a ?death trap? and the chairman of the meeting announced that he was taking no questions from the public on the issue.
But he did promise a special meeting later ? and that will be the meeting on August 2.
Work on the ?48,251 project to desilt the lake and landscape the surrounded area was abandoned in May after a series of problems with the project.
It has been claimed the contractors underestimated the amount of silt to be removed from the lake.
News in brief
Charity ball
A charity ball in aid of Breast Cancer Care is being held at the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, Warrington on Saturday, October 6. There will be a three course dinner, live band, disco raffle and auction.
Parking extension
PLANS to extend a car park to provide 29 additional car spaces at Trinity Court, Birchwood, Warrington, has been submitted to borough development control chiefs by Chip (One) Ltd.
Home extension
WARRINGTON planners are being asked to approved the demolition of an existing garage and utility room to make way for a new home extension at Woodydene, in Dingle Lane, Appleton.
Loading bays
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order for the introduction of vehicle loading bays in Legh Street and Regent Street, in the town centre, parking restrictions in Golborne Street, Legh Street, Regent Street and Sankey Street, together with restrictions on loading and unloading in sections of the same streets.
