LIBERAL Democrats at Warrington are demanding to know when the swing bridges over the Manchester Ship Canal in the town are going to be painted.
It is now some two months since it was announced that canal owners Peel had finally agreed to paint the bridges, following intense lobbying by councillors, the Warrington South MP and residents – but no date has been given.
Now the Liberal Democrat group on the borough council plans to raise the issue at a meeting of the council on Monday.
Cllr Ian Marks, chairman of Warrington Liberal Democrats said: “Last year we presented a 1,700 name petition to Peel and wrote letters to senior executives asking for the bridges to be painted but we never received any responses.
Cllkr Ian Marks
“In March we gained unanimous support from councillors for a motion we put forward asking for the council’s leader and chief executive to write requesting the bridges be painted.
“The bridges give a very poor impression of the town because of their dilapidated state. Peel has ambitious plans for developments in Warrington and we were keen that they work with the council for the mutual benefit of the town and the company.
“We were delighted to hear that they had agreed to paint them but subsequent announcements give us concern about when this will be done.
“Other work is planned beforehand and no confirmation has been given about when the painting will start. Priority is being given to this other work, like refurbishing the Warburton Toll Bridge, which is needed too, but we are worried this will delay the painting for years.”
Cllr Peter Walker from Stockton Heath is to ask the council leader and chief executive to write again to Peel pressing them to give some time-scales.
“Residents deserve to know,” Cllr Marks added.
