SPECIAL measures to minimise the impact on Warrington of increased shipping on the Manchester Ship Canal are to be investigated by canal owners Peel.
These include working with the borough council to develop prior warning notification systems and the spreading of information locally.
The measures are mentioned in an interim consultation report on the Mersey Ports Master Plan published by Peel 
Ports.
Warrington South MP David Mowat (pictured) – who says he was the only MP in the region to make a formal submission to the consultation – has welcomed publication of the document.
Last year, he expressed concern that an increase in shipping along the canal could cause major disruption to road traffic in Warrington because of the swing bridges.
As a result, Peel have devoted a section of its report to mitigating the potential impact on Warrington.
While specific proposals have yet to be put forward, Peel have identified a number of options including:
* Completing a “Memorandum of Understanding” with Warrington Borough Council
* Evaluating and instigating measures around better vessel planning and the scheduling of shipping movements
* Working with the council to develop prior warning notification systems and the dissemination of information locally.
Mr Mowat said: “I raised concern that an increase in ship movements would have a detrimental effect that would be unique to Warrington and I am delighted that Peel are now aware of this.
“I will be working closely with borough councillors and the parish councils in Grappenhall, Stockton Heath, Appleton and Walton to get the right measures put in place.”
Borough councillor Paul Kennedy, who represents the Hatton, Stretton and Walton areas, also responded to the consultation.
He said: “We don’t want to block this project as it has the potential to transform the North West for the better. All we want are some common sense, additional measures put in place to recognise that Warrington is a special case.”
Peel plan to increase tonnage on the canal by 70 per cent by 2030 but highways planners in Warrington say this could cause chaos on the town’s roads, with it taking an hour for traffic to get back to normal every time one of the swing bridges is “off.”
More than 4,000 people expressed concern over the increased shipping and signed a petition organised by local Liberal Democrats.
Canal plan to ease congestion
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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.
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Quote; “Mr Mowat said: “I raised concern that an increase in ship movements would have a detrimental effect that would be unique to Warrington and I am delighted that Peel are now aware of this”. As anyone with any common sense who has travelled through Stockton Heath would realise the impact of increased ship movements It would be unbelievable to think that Peel were ever UNAWARE of this!!!
Quote; Borough councillor Paul Kennedy, : “We don’t want to block this project as it has the potential to transform the North West for the better…….” It will certainly transform the North West — but for the better? You obviously know Peel’s plans Paul, so how about letting the public in on the details – then they can make their own minds up as to whether or not this’ transformation’ is going to be for the better? How about making public exactly what it is that Peel are planning to ship up the canal?
Quoted from above; “More than 4,000 people expressed concern over the increased shipping and signed a petition organised by local Liberal Democrats….. ” Yes, but the wording of the petition was only for ‘mitigating measures’. I think there would be many people who would have wanted a straight NO to Peel’s plans! As there wasn’t a straight NO option on the petition it could be assumed that the Lib Dems also are in favour of Peel’s plans to ‘transform the North West’ – they also give no details of what this ‘transformation’ actually will be. I haven’t noticed any comments from the Labour group and yet again, no detailed information. Re the mitigating measures, Peel are proposing “* Completing a “Memorandum of Understanding with Warrington Borough Council” Are the general public supposed to understand what that means? Instead of vague statements, lack of information and Councillor’s opinions on what will be good for the North West could they not give clear facts in clear English and let the public form their own opinions? Is the vagueness perhaps because they anticipate that public opinion will be contrary to their own?