SHIPPING on the Manchester Ship Canal should be restricted to night time, according to the Liberal Democrat group on Warrington Borough Council.
The suggestion has been prompted by proposals by canal owners Peel Ports to increasing tonnage on the canal by 70 per cent.
This would, typically, increase the number of times the three swing bridges at Warrington open for ships from twice daily to six times.
Cllr Brian Axcell, (pictured) Lib Dem transportation spokesperson at the Town Hall, said: “Council data shows that, each time the swing bridges open, our road network is disrupted for up to an hour. Warrington’s roads cannot cope with up to six hours disruption every day.
“The council data also proves that boat movements are not tide-dependent, as has been claimed. Movements occur at fairly consistent times during the day regardless of the state of the tide on the River Mersey.
“If boats can be sent through Warrington consistently through the day, then they can just as easily go through during the night.
“This is precisely what happens in St Petersburg, Russia’s second city, which is located on the River Neva. This waterway links the Baltic Sea with Russia’s extensive system of rivers, lakes and canals and it takes far more traffic than the Manchester Ship Canal. Nevertheless the bridges in St Petersburg do not open for sea-going vessels before 1 am or after 6 am.
“In the same way we propose that Warrington’s swing bridges should be opened only in the night, in our case between midnight and 6 am. Although a transfer of freight from road to water is desirable, it must not damage Warrington’s economic and social life. Night time boat movements are needed to avoid such damage.”
Sail by night plan for canal
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
4 Comments
Too simple a solution. You could have a situation where the roads could be closed for hours on end. The Lib-Dems may not be aware that people do work during the night. Is the Cantilever Bridge strong enough to take the increase in traffic?
Yes most of the Canal traffic should move out of normal hours, but can better use be made of the proposed Port at Moore? ie load onto barges etc.
You can join the posters discussions on this site by following this link that was started back in July following the Pell Hall presentation at the Town Hall.
http://www.portofliverpool.co.uk/masterplan/documents.htm
It’s no the first time that WWW members have discussed this topic but it is the latest and has a link to the Peel Hall web site.
http://forum.www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/index.php?/topic/6930-mersey-ports-master-plan/
Why not add your comments to both sites?
NIMBY springs to mind. Is this case of the LibDems protecting their “seats” sounth of the canal? Despite what the residents of Warrington say the Ship Canal will be given what it wants. If you think we live in a democracy then think again!
It so happens that the canal is ‘south’ of Warrington centre and tends to affect those in these ‘south’ areas more. This is not about seats of any hue, but about something which could have a massive impact on the lives of everyone who lives along either side of the ship canal for a number of miles, probably including political supporters of many parties.