CAMPAIGNERS are planning their fourth peaceful protest in opposition to Warrington Borough Council’s controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) schemes outside Full council at the Parr Hall on December 5.
They are also calling for the Westy Central 6 LTN to be included on the agenda at the meeting for “transparency” following the council’s decision to implement some alterations, while leaving planters on Grange Avenue, blocking through traffic.
Campaign spokesperson Rachael Harper said: “The Low Neighbourhood traffic scheme (LTNs) in Warrington that first came to light in June of this year, still remains an extremely relevant topic and has been the source of much frustration for Warrington residents over the past six months. Some residents, particularly those in Orford may think it’s no longer relevant, after our first protest saw the scheme paused in this part of Warrington. Though no revised plans have been published for this area, I think the outcome of the scheme in Latchford will determine whether it gets brought back at some point.
“Three protest demonstrations, one protest march and a protest rally, yet we are still trying to make our council understand why this scheme is impractical, unjust, and unwarranted. What started out as a great community forum as the central six project, seemingly became a way of pushing the LTN agenda in some of the poorest areas of Warrington. Areas that the original community forum were set up to help and support, but now one of them, many would say, has been placed at a significant disadvantage.
“We acknowledge that the LTN scheme is a government-funded initiative, but the government has also given local councils the authority of how to implement the scheme and more importantly when to decide to remove it after an initial six-month implementation period. The MP for Warrington South, Andy Carter brought the LTNs to national attention by raising the issue in parliament only a few weeks ago and has secured a debate that will take place on LTNs in Westminster in the coming weeks.
Rachael added: “In terms of the recent changes made by the council to remove the planters on Reynolds Street, we’ve concluded that with the lack of evidence the council have provided that the planters meet the three main objective (greener, safer, and cleaner streets) combined with their failure to act on the biggest issues in the survey, that this was nothing more than a way for the council to justify continuing with the scheme in light of such strong opposition
“It is for this reason we are staging our fourth peaceful protest demonstration outside the full council meeting on the 5th of December at 6pm. We don’t like having to stand in the cold to make our voices heard, some of us struggle to arrange childcare, but this council gives us no choice with their constant disregard for the concerns of its residents on this issue. Time and time again people show up to our campaign events because they know this isn’t good enough and they are not prepared to simply let this stand.
“In their recent ‘Debate, not hate’ campaign, members of the council have highlighted the importance of residents being able to debate issues without the need for harassment, intimidation, or at its lowest, assault. We as a campaign group completely support this principle, which is why our events are always tried to be kept as respectful as possible and are always publicised as peaceful, while asserting our right to protest.
“However, there is no denying that there is not a lot of transparency from our council around the scheme currently in place in east Latchford.
“Therefore, as a campaign group, we are calling for the council to put the LTN scheme in Latchford on the agenda to discuss at the next council meeting on the 5th of December. What better way to offer transparency and promote debate, not hate by using part of the council meeting to discuss how the scheme is working and why in light of such strong opposition they have decided not to revoke the scheme after the minimum implementation period, especially, considering the government has reiterated in parliament that councils should listen to their residents on the LTNs.
“Many people would love to hear the answers to these questions and will attend the meeting with eager anticipation, but is the council willing to give answers? I guess we’ll find out on the 5TH of December,” concluded Rachael.
