WARRINGTON Borough Council has moved quickly to carry out adjustments to new car park barriers at Woolston Community Hub.
The controversial bright yellow barriers, erected to stop travellers occupying the car park were widened yesterday (Friday) following a storm of protest from leisure centre users, who found them too small for cars and larger 4x4s to
navigate.
The news has been welcomed by Labour Party candidates for Rixton and Woolston – Chis Vobe, Andrew Hill and Pat Wrigh, who said in a joint statement:
“We are very pleased that the work to reposition the barriers has already taken place, and that the Council have held open discussions with residents on site whilst doing so.
“Residents have given us very a great deal of feedback already – they are delighted by how quickly this work has been carried out, and we are very pleased to have been able to ensure that happened.
“There is now further work to be carried out in the next week, after which we will see even greater improvements to the Woolston Hub.”
Following the storm of protest by local residents and centre users Warrington Borough Council Chief Executive Steven Broomhead intervened and the council issued the following update:
1) The contractor has returned to site today (Friday) and is repositioning the two barriers to deliver a gap of 2.35m – increasing the current width by 250 mm. The Barriers will display a width distance of 2.2m. Prior to the installation of the new gap, trials and discussions were held with customers
2) Two wooden bollards have been installed in the grass area in front of the scout hut next to the bin.
3) The street lighting contractors have been on site today and have changed the size and lux capacity of the street light next to the main entrance. A new lightening column is being erected near to the exit barrier to improve visibility.
4) A resurfacing contractor will be on site from Monday 28th October to plan the resurfacing of the rear entrance to the car park and patch repair other areas within the car park.
5) Following the resurfacing work, hatch markings will be installed in front and behind the barriers to guide the visitor into the car park via the revised entry along with directional arrows.
2 Comments
amazing how quick the council can get things done when it comes to it. probably worried about all the compensation claims for vehicle damage
I visited the HUB yesterday 12th Jan 2020 with my Family my Wife and 2 x Disabled 7 year old Children who were taking part in a Disability Sports and Swimming class (weekly). My Vehicle is a Disability Adapted VW Caravelle which has a width of 2,297mm (including mirrors), (mid to average car width 1.466mm), when entering the Car Park I was guided in, in daylight by 2 competent Drivers as the Gate was locked, however, when trying to get out post Lesson/class, it was now dark and my Wife asked if the Gate could be opened for me. The (I can only assume ,the Duty Manager) refused to open the gate saying that you drove in so you can drive out. I spoke with this Manager who confirmed that he knew I had a Disabled Wife and 2 x Disabled Children in the vehicle who by now were distressed as I was unable to get out of the car park, the Manager said that he would not open the Gate, I drove in so would have to drive out, he said that if he opened the gate for me, then he would have to open it for everyone else, I explained that we visited the Library, Sports centre and pool and also the Sensory Center twice weekly and had never previously had an issue, he again declined to open the Gate to let me out, I ended up telephoning the Police (non Emergency) He told them that he would not open the Gate , however he had conceded to allow members of his Staff to guide me out of the car park at my own risk.