WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat is urging people to sign a petition calling for the unsightly Manchester Ship Canal swing bridges to be re-painted.
Mr Mowat, who had contacted the ship canal owners last year calling for the eysore bridges to be re-painted, said: “It’s highly regrettable that Peel Ports seems completely unwilling to consider re-painting the swing bridges over the Manchester Ship Canal.
“My Constituency Office is a matter of yards from the London Road swing bridge. I cross the bridge regularly so I can see the state that it is in.
“I understand that any redecoration would cost money, but we aren’t talking about the Forth Road Bridge here. It’s difficult to see how it could take much more than 3 months to paint all four bridges.
“The swing bridges are key landmarks on the route into the centre of town from the south. As such, they form part of the impression visitors to the town have of it. Not least because the extent of Warrington’s traffic problems means that drivers tend to have more time to survey the state of the bridges than they might wish!
“Having bridges that look tatty and uncared for gives the impression that the town itself is tatty and for. Nothing could be further from the truth – Warrington is a thriving town and its bridges should reflect that.
“Under the terms of the original Manchester Ship Canal Act of 1885, responsibility for maintaining the bridges is given to the Manchester Ship Canal Company (now owned by Peel). Peel do a reasonable job of maintaining the bridge swinging mechanism – considering the age of the bridges it’s surprising how rarely they do actually stick – but maintenance means more than just keeping the bridges working.”
Mr Mowat added: “I’ve raised this matter directly with Peel Ports, but they flatly refused to take any action – so I’m now supporting a petition to put pressure on them to change their minds.”
To sign the petition click on the link below.
https://www.change.org/p/peel-ports-our-swing-bridges-need-painting
2 Comments
I think he needs to concentrate on matters around the town, not matters near to his office that upsets HIM.
Just because it is on his doorstep doesn’t mean it should be ignored.
They are a complete eyesore and deserve at least a lick of paint.