BUSINESS expansion plans for the Manchester Ship Canal will bring traffic chaos to Stockton Heath, local councillors believe.
Members of the parish council say they are strongly opposed to plans to increase the number of ships on the canal which mean “gridlock” for the village, they believe.
Peel Ports Mersey is holding public consultation events about its plans to increase the number of ships using the 
canal. It is expected there will be a 70 per cent growth in tonnage handled by the company by 2030.
Cllr Celia Jordan, (pictured) chairman of Stockton Heath Parish Council said information on the proposals had been made available by Peel.
“But nowhere does it mention the impact on road traffic.”
There were three swing bridges in the Warrington area, at Stockton Heath, Walton and Latchford, and when the bridges were “off “there was a huge backlog of traffic in the area.
Peel’s plans include developing “Port Warrington” at Moore, together with other ports along the route. The development would have a major impact on the region.
Cllr Jordan said: “We have been saying for years that they should hold back canal traffic downstream – and then let boats go through the village nose-to-tail between 11pm and 6am.
“Traffic is already gridlocked in the village at times, and this would have a major impact on traffic.”
Cllr Peter Walker said traffic on the canal had dropped off as big sea-going ships were too big to use it. He suggested cargoes should be offloaded onto barges that could go under the swing bridges.
Cllr Marilyn Timmins said extra traffic on the canal would also have an impact on new housing developments which had been built near to its banks.
A consultation meeting is to be held at The Pyramid, Warrington, on June 23 from 3.30pm to 7.30pm – and councillors are to attend to express Stockton Heath’s concerns.
End
9 Comments
I detailed my concerns regarding the traffic problems caused by the bridges swinging, on the consultation document that I recently completed. Given their age, there is also the question of their reliability with the increase in opening and closing. Some years ago there were plans for a new high level bridge in Latchford, money was put aside for it, alas the plans never materialised and the money got spent on other things.
A majority of people who have commented on this are also concerned about the traffic situation which should be a priority issue for Warrington as we already have gridlock whenever anything happens on one of the motorways. In addition to the chaos caused by additional bridge opening, no-one is remembering to factor in the extra traffic which will inevitably travel through Warrington when the new Runcorn toll bridge is built. It may be convenient to say that it is a separate project, but all councillors and anyone involved with future planning should be only too aware that these 2 events will probably be completed around similar dates and could have a devastating impact on traffic for everyone in the Warrington area. It cannot be allowed to happen!
I like Peter Walkers idea, or build a massive parking area at Moore. Surely, with some planning the bridges could be open at non-rush hour times. Where there is a will, there is a way. At the end of the day, this could take traffic off the road which would be a good thing.
The Ship Canal is focal point of this town and shipping traffic was just as busy at one time previous. I dont see any mention of the extra business and jobs it will create just comments about how it’ll disrupt people’s social calendar or journey to work. The retail sales figures announced today show that growth and expansion is a must but obviously not in Warrington
The objectors don’t appear to be Warringtonians. Can they remeber when the canal was busy. OK, traffic back up for a time but the economic pluses outway this significantly. Objections from Stockton Heath (always expected) are certainly nimby.
Please consider the scheme in the whole before making rash decisions.
Ha ha ‘objections from Stockton Heath are always expected eh from the nimbys !! How rude 🙂 Anyway in reply to the above two comment I’ve lived near the canal and swing bridges in Stockton Heath/Walton/Latchford all my life and yes shipping traffic did used to be busier. On a normal daily basis the swing bridges going off doesn’t cause too much of a problem traffic wise BUT it is definately worse than it used to be . These days there are far more cars on the roads and far more housing developments too. The BIG problem is whenever there is congestion in Warrington or an accident on the local motorways as ALL traffic diverts to the A49 and Walton Drag it’s absolute gridlock in all directions even without the bridges going off too. I like Peter Walkers suggestion too but maybe in their big master plan Peels could put their hand in their very large pocket and pay to build a new high level bridge over the canal or some new roads !! 🙂 I feel sorry for the people in Moore village and the tranquil Moore Promenade park home site though as they will have all the lorries going their way 🙁 PS Walton swing bridge got stuck open a few weeks ago which was odd as they only usually get stuck in very hot weather !!
Make Peel pay for a new crossing or refuse to allow the bridges to open except on a Sunday afternoon……
I think people should be asking questions about what type of cargo it is planned will be carried.
………..”what type of cargo it is planned “