Fishery experts “stunned”
by an unexpected catch
by Terry Johnson
FISHERY experts at Warrington-based water giant United Utilities’, planned to send an electric current through an ornamental lake so they could carry out a fish count.
But it was not just the fish that were stunned.
Their “electro fishing” showed the lake is teaming with fish species that were never officially introduced – including the rare, caviar-producing sturgeon! Measuring two-thirds the size of a football pitch, the man-made Lingley Mere was created 12 years ago at United Utilities’ Warrington HQ. The lake is behind high security fencing, patrolled by guards.
Water chiefs cannot explain how a 12lb sturgeon they netted got into the lake…and equally mysterious is how a 36lb carp turned up in the fish trawl.
Spokesman Robin Uttley said: “We were astonished. The lake proved to be an angler’s paradise. We caught a very rare sturgeon”.
The “stunning” survey was part of UU’s duty to check the size, type and health of the fish population.
“But the haul was huge – there were too many to count”, added Mr Uttley.
The picturesque lake is alongside the utility company’s staff restaurant. A footbridge over the water is enjoyed by lunch-time strollers.
Strongest theory for the “new” fish population is that they were sneaked in by staff who are anglers.
Stocks will now be thinned by re-locating some of the thousands of fish to smaller ornamental lakes being created as part of an expanding business park.
And sturgeon roe could even appear on an up-market restaurant menu!
No Bible ban at
town’s hospital
by staff reporter
BIBLES will not be removed from patients’ bedsides in Warrington Hospital in a new drive against deadly bugs.
NHS Trust bosses are stepping up the fight against MRSA infection in the hospital and germ-killing alcohol hand-rubs placed at every bedside, as well as at entrances to all wards and hospital bays.
But the Trust will not be following the example of health chiefs in Leicester who have caused a storm by removing Bibles.
Hospital chiefs say they do not think the Gideon-provided Bibles, which are handled by thousands of patients, will be a significant health risk.
Patients are to be encouraged to ask doctors and nurses if they have washed their hands prior to examinations. Visitors should also use the hand-rubs.
Latest figures show 13 cases of MRSA infection in Warrington and Halton hospitals between April-October last year. This is a 48 per cent cut since surveillance began in 2001.
Anna Alexander, the Trust’s deputy director of nursing, said: “Infection control specialists continue to work hard.”
The Staphylococcus aureus bacterium is present in a third of people, on the skin and in the nose.
Use of antibiotics has caused emergence of the methicillin-resistant variety (MRSA), of which nearly half of cases occur outside hospitals and are brought into wards.
Hotel group wins grant
for internet phone pilot
by business staff
WARRINGTON-based Venture Hotels has been awarded ?69,000 funding for a pilot wireless internet telephone project.
It will enable guests to make ‘phone calls across the world, without charge – and work remotely from their office via a wireless link.
Formed in 1997, the hotel group operates out of Warrington – where it owns Paddington House Hotel – Manchester and Chester.
The Broadband Connect project is funded by Warrington-based Northwest Regional Development Agency.
Venture’s director, Paul Abson, said: “Going that extra mile for customers has always been about great service. Now it means providing the best internet access available – both through our website and in the hotels via Broadband, including wireless connectivity.”
The grant is the first from Broadband Connect’s ‘community chest’, supporting innovative projects throughout Cheshire and Warrington.
New house “too big”
says inspector
by David Skentelbery
A GOVERNMENT planning inspector has ruled that a detached house at Warrington cannot be demolished and rebuilt with the addition of a new stable block.
He says the new house in Glazebrook Lane, Glazebrook, would be substantially larger than the existing one and that it would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
Warrington’s development control committee refused permission for the development last year but the developer appealed.
Now the inspector has ruled in the council’s favour.
He says the scale and prominence of the development would have an unacceptable affect on the openness of the Green Belt.
The applicant argued that the new building would produce a more practical living layout, but the inspector considered this to be a subjective judgement and not a factor which would amount to the very special circumstances necessary to allow the project to go ahead in the Green Belt.
A borough council spokesman said: “The inspector’s decision reflects precisely the views expressed by the council’s officers. It is a straight forward application of Green Belt policy.”
Motorway trio charged
with drugs offence
by court reporter
THREE men arrested after being stopped on the M6 near Warrington appeared before the town’s magistrates court at a special hearing.
The men, two from London and one from Merseyside, were charged with possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply them to others.
They were remanded in custody.
Police allege the men were found in possession of heroin with a street value of ?200,000.
Planners clamp down
on alterations
by staff reporter
PLANNING chiefs have clamped down on alterations to the frontages of buildings in Bridge Street, Warrington.
They have refused three applications by the HSBC Bank to alter the appearance of their building – one a restrospective one.
The bank wanted to lower existing window cills – and in one case had done so.
Planners have also refused two applications from the 53 Degrees North nightclub to erect a fascia sign and add tile cladding to the front of the building.
The club had also wanted to alter the existing disabled toilet and add an additional female cubicle.
News in brief
Footpath closure
A FOOTPATH which runs between Viscount Road and an unnamed footpath between Capesthorne Road and Hilden Road, Warrington is to be closed for about eight weeks from June 27 while a new boundary wall is built.
Extension veto
PLANS for a two-storey side extension to a house in St Mawgan Court, Padgate, Warrington, have been refused by the borough’s planning department.
Community meeting
THE newly-formed Fearnhead Community Association, Warrington, is to hold a meeting at Fearnhead Cross Community Centre next Wednesday (June 8).
Doggie bags
RESIDENTS of the Whitecross area of Warrington can pick up free “dog poop” bags from the community centre on Wellfield Street to help keep the area’s parks and pavements clean.
