Planners defer decision
on power station scheme
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have refused to consider a major proposals to install equipment to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions from the giant Fiddlers Ferry Power Station, near Warrington.
The multi-million scheme involving installing flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) equipment in all four generating units at the plant was due to be considered by the borough council development control committee.
But members decided that because sections of a report on the application were missing they had insufficient information on which to make a decision.
They deferred consideration until their next meeting in three weeks? time If approved, the proposals would result in the power station continuing in operation beyond 2020-25, contributing to the region’s electricity supply.
Officers are recommending that the council raise no objections to the scheme.
Cuerdley Parish Council ? in whose area the plant is situated ? are not objecting in principle.
But they have expressed concern at the likelihood of potential industrial developments in and around the application and the emissions likely to be caused by increased road and rail transport.
They are also asking for two additional conditions to be imposed. One is that the whole plant produces energy from coal and that toxic emissions are completely covered by a desulphurisation plant.
The other is that a ?rear entrance? to the power station is built, linking up to the A562 at the Eight Towers roundabout in Widnes.
Planning consent already exists for FGD equipment in one generating unit.
The scheme will result in a significant increase in traffic on local roads during the construction period, from next year until 2008. There will be some 350 contractors on site, with 50 heavy lorry deliveries a day.
But Warrington is unlikely to suffer much as most of the traffic is expected to turn left, towards Widnes, when it leaves the power station, according to planners The application is supported by neighbouring Halton Council and there are no objections from English Nature, the Countryside Agency or the Environment Agency.
Installation of the equipment will require alterations to rail sidings and unloading equipment, enclosed conveyors for transporting limestone from the rail sidings to the FGD plant, storage buildings and other facilities. But it would all be built within the existing site boundary and will make little difference to the appearance of the power station.
The process will result in the production of gypsum which can be sold to the plasterboard industry. This will be exported from the site, although about 75 per cent of it will be by rail.
Dave conquers Rockies
– and fear of bears!
by Terry Johnson
Cycling enthusiast, Dave Latham, was prepared to hurl his bike at a ‘menacing’ black bear during a 300-mile charity ride across The Rockies!
Dave,47, from Warrington, was in Canada as part of a nine-member team tackling the extreme sports challenge to raise vital cash for Wirral-based Claire House Children’s Hospice, which helps youngsters from Warrington.
He was taking five days out of his motor vehicle body repair business, Dent Tec, to raise ?2,700 for the hospice – riding in below-zero temperatures from mountain resorts, Banff to Jasper.
Said Dave: “It was on the third day of a tough ride through snow flurries that we found ourselves being intercepted by a black bear. I was in my shorts. It was cold and I wanted to push on. I thought to myself: ‘if it gets really threatening I shall have to throw my bike at it’. Fortunately, we managed to get past without serious confrontation”.
The fourth day of the Rockies venture was the worst, with a 55-mile push before dinner and a 20-mile ride afterwards and then a 2,000-metres hill climb.
“We were moving through fantastic scenery, though it was tough going because of the buffeting from icy weather”, said Dave, whose trip was sponsored by Culcheth-based Kemtile and Alpha One, of Penketh.
Special thanks to
knitting volunteers
by staff reporter
GRATEFUL staff at Warrington Hospital?s Neonatal Unit have said a special thank you to their army of knitting volunteers for their continued support during the year. The Unit has received thousands of donated hand-made baby clothes from the kind hearted people of Warrington and from further afield since they launched the appeal for knitters in 1998. The appeal was launched because baby clothes that can fit premature babies are often very expensive. The knitted clothes are worn by babies on the Unit and sold at low cost to parents when their child is ready to go home. The profits from the sale of clothes are used to enhance patient comforts in the Unit. Debbie Yates, Senior Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, said: “We have received some really beautiful outfits from our knitting volunteers this year, as we have every year since we first asked for their help. ?I know the parents of our young patients are always delighted with the clothes and so are the staff at the Unit. ?We feel it is only right that the volunteers are thanked and recognised for their sterling efforts which make a tremendous difference every day of the year. ?We would also like to thank everybody who has donated funds to the Neonatal Unit throughout the year.?
Pictured:(l to r) Margaret Diamond, Hazel Gunn, Angela Cosgrove, Florence Wilson with Ang Lawton and baby Niamh and Sister Shirley Wildgoose and Staff Nurse Jill Kenyon in the Neonatal Unit.
Family of four escape
from blazing pub
by David Skentelbery
FOUR people escaped unhurt early today when fire caused extensive damage at a Warrington pub.
The blaze was at the Harrow Inn at Culcheth and apparently started in the bar area around 2.15am.
Fire crews from Birchwood and Warrington raced to the scene but the family – two adults and two children – had escaped before they got there.
Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to fight the flames.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “There was extensive damage in the bar area and the cause of the outbreak is being investigated.”
Shortly after 6.30am today, fire crews were called to help deal with a road accident in Cromwell Avenue, Westbrook when a car careered off the road, collided with a lamp post and ended up in a ditch.
The woman occupant had to be cut free from the wrecked vehicle and was taken to Warrington Hospital suffering from neck and chest injruies.
The crash occurred outside the Toys ‘R’ Us store.
Volunteer awards
THREE volunteers from Warrington Disability Partnership are celebrating special Year of the Volunteer Awards.
Pictured are Sandra Maxwell nominated for Inspiration, Ros Schofield nominated for Commitment and Chris Molyneux nominated for Partnership Working, with the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire Mr Bill Bromley-Davenport.
The Year of the Volunteer2005 Awards celebrate and honour the amazing work carried out by volunteers in England and showcase the achievements of volunteers in Cheshire.
The Regional Award ceremony was held at St Mary’s Centre, Chester, where recipients were presented with a Year of the Volunteer 2005 medal coined by the Royal Mint.
Trustees, staff and volunteers from Warrington Disability Partnership have praised the trio for their achievements.
Ken Dodd celebrates
50 years in showbiz
by staff reporter
CELEBRATIONS to mark Ken Dodd?s 50th year in show business will include a visit to Warrington.
The Liverpool comic, now 78, will be appearing at the Parr Hall on Thursday, December 22.
He?ll have his tickling stick and a host of jokes and songs.
Kenneth Arthur Dodd was born in Liverpool in 1927. He grew up in Knotty Ash and developed a comedy act as Professor Yaffle Chuckabutty, the Operatic Tenor and Sausage Knotter, singing comic versions of
well-known songs.
Turning professional in 1954, he did summer seasons in Blackpool in 1955 and 1956 and went on to appear at the London Palladium and on television. During the 1960’s and 1970’s he had numerous television series, including the Ken Dodd Show, Doddy’s Music Box and Ken Dodd’s Showbiz.
He is celebrating his 50th year in show business touring with his Happiness Show.
It’s been an extremely busy time for him. His portrait by David Cobley has been hung in London’s National Portrait Gallery, he’s been commemorated in the first ever ‘Avenue Of The Stars’ (Britain’s equivalent of Hollywood Boulevard) in London’s Covent Garden, and has addressed the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford on the Bard and humour!
He says: “To me every night is like an opening night, and there is nothing to compare to the thrill of going on stage and slaving over a hot audience! Laughter is the greatest music in the world and I am delighted to have devoted so many years to dispensing lots and lots of tickle-tonic. They can’t touch you for it!?
