VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help monitor the impact of the controversial Inland Border Facility which is set to open at the former Shearings site in Appleton Thorn in January post-Brexit.
Local residents have recognised that the operation of the Inland Border Facility (IBF), starting at the beginning of January 2021, at the ex Shearing’s site on Barleycastle Trading Estate, may potentially increase HGV traffic passing through Stretton and Appleton Thorn, albeit there is an existing HGV 7.5 Ton restriction to the east of Appleton Thorn.
From discussions at a recent meeting of the Rethinking South Warrington’s Future (RSWF) group it was decided that a Liaison Group should be formed between a group of Appleton Thorn and Stretton residents committed to looking at how they could usefully monitor traffic flows arising from the IBF and also how best to establish a communication route with IBF in order to discuss any issues.
With enough resources, they would also propose to review the effectiveness of any mitigation measures put in place and potentially recommend improvements.
Spokesperson Kevin McAloon said: “We have only just formed the group in response to the lack of information being made available about the IBF. The group mainly consists of people with shared experience of working together to challenge the development proposals on Greenbelt by such as Stobarts and the Six/56 Project. We have already started off with 10 members, some from the Stretton NDP group and would like interested residents of Appleton Thorn to volunteer and join the group.
“We aim to listen to the concerns of all local residents and we anticipate that initial efforts will focus simply on three aspects:
1. Develop a communication path with the IBF.
2. Keep local residents informed,
3. Undertake ‘hands-on’ monitoring of traffic flows related to the IBF and its impact on local roads, especially for us here in Appleton Thorn.
“This request is a call for volunteers to join the Liaison Group. We would like to ask people to offer a few hours of their time in the short term to help with planning the activities and to help to undertake some of the traffic monitoring.”
Volunteers should contact either Steve Fensom [email protected] or Kevin McAloon [email protected]
Steve Fensom added: “Be assured this is not intended to be a Protest Group and is not political in any way. Whatever we plan to do we will ensure that it is to be done openly, safely and lawfully.”
