Escalator out of action nine months?

AN escalator at Warrington’s Golden Square shopping centre will have been out of action for nine months by the time work starts on replacing it, a local campaigner has claimed.
John Mulhall, who has unsuccessfully fought seats on the borough council as an independent, says the shopping centre management has told him work will start on installing a new escalator on January 4.
He said: “Golden Square should be ashamed of themselves as they are a large and resourceful company.
“By the time they start work, nine months will have elapsed since this vital facility for those in need ceased to operate.”
Shoppers have been complaining for months about the inoperable escalator leading up from the bus station into the shopping centre..
In a letter to Mr Mulhall, a Golden Square spokesman said: “The escalators are over 31 years old and were planned for replacement next year. But due to one of them breaking down, the decision has now been taken to bring this forward.
“A process has been carried out to ensure we appoint the best possible contractor and give careful consideration to the needs of all our customers when replacing such an important piece of equipment.
“We are always striving to improve the facilities at Golden Square and, over the next few months, we shall be installing completely new escalators designed and built specifically for the centre. They are built to the very latest standards and will therefore give better access for shoppers, including a longer, flatter, walk on/off area.
“In addition the slope of the escalators will be reduced – five per cent less – and move at a slower speed to offer a better experience for our more elderly shoppers, as well as those with young children.”