WARRINGTON Borough Council has written to Justice Secretary Jack Straw seeking an early announcement on the timing of a new prison for the North West.
The council expresses its concern at the “negative impact” the uncertainty surrounding the location of the proposed 
“Titan Prison” is having on businesses deciding whether to locate on the Omega site at Warrington.
Leader of the council Ian Marks and his deputy Keith Bland have both signed the letter.
Last year, the council passed a resolution supported by all three political parties, strongly opposing any plan for a Titan Prison anywhere in Warrington
Since then a residents action group has launched a vigorous campaign opposing the prison and delivering a 10,000-name petition to 10, Downing Street.
In December, Jack Straw wrote to the council clarifying his position on the issue of a “prison cluster” for the North West and stating that no decision had yet been taken on its location.
In their new letter, Coun Marks and Coun Bland (pictured) point out that last month Minister of State (Justice) David Hanson announced the decision to site a new Welsh prison near Caernarfon and that Mr Hanson has also stated that construction work on the first prison cluster could start next year.
They go on: “In view of these statements we are wondering what the timescale is for an announcement about the 
timing of the new prison for the North West? We know our local residents would welcome clarification of this.
“We would like to repeat the opposition from all three political parties on the council to siting a new prison cluster on the Omega site or indeed anywhere else in Warrington.
“Nothing has changed our view since the original motions were passed at our council meeting in November. In particular we are most concerned about the negative impact on businesses deciding whether to locate onto the Omega site if a prison were to be located there.
“We remain committed to the development of Omega as a high quality business location and do not believe a large new prison would be helpful to achieving this ambition.”
Council fears over Titan prison
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
