MORE than 3,000 people are expected to take part in what is believed to be the 175th Warrington Walking Day tomorrow (Friday).
Thousands more will line the town’s streets to watch the procession of people, young and old, from schools and churches and other organisations across the town as it wends it way through the town centre.
Roads will be closed to traffic, many bus services will be terminated outside the town centre
The procession will start from the Town Hall at 10.30am where the Mayor and Mayoress, Coun and Mrs Brian Axcell will take the salute from a raised dais near the famous Golden Gates.
Although no-one can be sure of the date of the first Walking Day it is believed tomorrow’s will be the 175th.
Traffic will be banned from the inner town centre while the walk takes places, with some streets closed to traffic from 8.30am.
But all town centre roads are expected to re-open by 12.45pm.
Delays on main roads are expected and motorists are being urged to be patient and take extra care if delayed by walking groups going to/from the procession.
Patients in Warrington Hospital will not miss out on the fun.
The excitement of the day will be broadcast live on Radio General, the hospital radio, as presenters will be out and about in the town.
The station will be broadcasting from the Town Hall lawn.
Presenter Jim Jefferies will interview walkers, organisers and spectators as well as the Mayor.
The special programme starts at 10am and patients can tune to Radio General’s coverage on Channel 1 on the bedside units.
The station’s coverage of Walking Day started in 1974 from a temporary studio erected beside the Town Hall gates. Now thanks to the latest equipment bought by grants the presenters can move around the area and transmit broadcasts back to the studio.
The weather forecast for the Warrington area is heavy rain shows. For the very latest forecast visit www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/nw/warrington_forecast_weather.html
Pictured…some of the children who took part in last year’s walk.
