A STORM over new parking charges in the south of Warrington has flared up into a full-scale political row.
It started with a petition, organised by the Liberal Democrats and signed by nearly 4,000 people, protesting at the borough council’s decision to reduce two-hour free parking periods at Stockton Heath and Lymm to one hour.
This was condemned by Labour leader Terry O’Neill as being “politically motivated” and “biased.”
Now the Lib Dems have hit back – and say they are amazed at Labour’s reaction.
Liberal Democrat leader Ian Marks (pictured) said: ”What is he talking about! If people get elected on party political tickets, you expect them to act politically. Does he think the Labour party doesn’t act politically?
“There is nothing biased about the petition. It is very simple. It calls for two hour free car-parking to be restored on these car-parks. “It is not about 50p, which as he says, is the price of a second class stamp.
“He should reflect on why almost 4,000 people have signed the petition rather than launch his usual tirade against Government cuts which we regret are needed to correct the appalling economic mess his government left the country in.
“People are annoyed that only Lymm and Stockton Heath have to pay charges. Why no charges on the other district car-parks?
“Lymm and Stockton Heath car-parks already make a profit and Labour wants to raise more money from them to subsidise the other parts of the parking service that make losses.
“Dare I say that Labour might just be acting politically by treating the residents of the south of the borough as ‘cash-cows’? When we were in control we were proud of our policy of treating all parts of the town fairly with our ‘One Warrington’ philosophy.
“Labour just doesn’t get it. They say they are trying to balance the books but they are ignoring the effect on businesses in the villages. They are arrogantly ignoring the views of local residents and visitors who no longer regard a trip to Lymm or Stockton heath as a relaxing experience. They ought to come out and speak to the people who have signed the petition so enthusiastically.
“Is it too much to hope that Labour will re-think this unfair and inequitable policy and restore two hours free parking?”
Parking row rumbles on
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About Author
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.
3 Comments
“One Warrington”….. lovely…….even better though is the South of the Borough reference…..!!
all he is missing is a claim that the “rich folk are subsiding the poor people of Warrington” and how they are struggling to park their big cars…and he’d be truly condescending……………………Anyway check out the map Lymm is in the EAST of the borough not South. maybe that explains his lack of interest in the Real Warrington. After all if he’s looking North he’s looking at Cadishead and Irlam…!!!
Storm in a tea cup more like
Si, I’ve checked out the map (not that I needed to) and due north of Lymm are Birchwood, Risley, Culcheth and Glazebury – all in northern half of the borough of Warrington, Cadishead and Irlam are a LONG way east of Lymm. And a line due north from the centre of Stockton Heath runs smack through the middle of the Golden Square. So it’s spot on to say that those of us in Lymm and Stockton Heath are indeed (whether we like it or not) stuck in South Warrington.