Having a say on re-shaping
the town’s historic heart
by David Skentelbery
A MAJOR public consultation exercise has been launched at Warrington to give residents and businesses a say on the reshaping of what is arguably the town?s most important regeneration area.
Work is about to start on a new Area Action Plan (AAP) for the Arpley Meadows and Bridgefoot area ? currently a sprawl of residential and industrial properties, much of which is in a run-down condition, but also including undeveloped and potentially attractive riverside sites.
The area includes the vital Warrington Bridge ? currently a heavily congested traffic bottleneck ? Wilderspool Causeway, including the former Warrington Wolves? Wilderspool Stadium ? Chester Road and the town?s bus depot.
Historically, it has provided a Mersey crossing since Roman times – which probably led to the development of the town of Warrington in the first place.
An AAP provides a specific framework for development in an area that may be subject to significant change. It allows ideas for possible development to be prioritised as well as assessing the need for new infrastructure.
The first step is collecting views from local residents, businesses and people with an interest in the area as to what should happen there over the next 10 years or so, to help the borough council put together a number of options, which will then be the subject of further consultation as well as assessment by the council for their level of sustainability.
Coun Terry O?Neill, the council?s executive member for Sustainable Environment, said: “The Area Action Plan will help deliver carefully planned development that makes the most of the important riverside location and its proximity to the town centre. This is one of the most important regeneration areas in the town and the action plan gives us the opportunity not only to provide employment and deliver affordable homes but also helps us to try and resolve the serious congestion in this part of the town.
?I would encourage people to take an interest and have their say about how they think the area should be developed in the future.”
Consultation documents are available to view at the council’s planning offices at New Town House and Warrington Library as well as on the council’s website at www.warrington.gov.uk/council/Planning/dev_framework.asp
Views and comments can be sent to the council at: Planning Policy Team, Environment Services Directorate, New Town House, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NH, or by email to [email protected]. Any comments should arrive no later than February 24.
Queen approves cap
badge for new regiment
by staff reporter
A REGIMENTAL cap badge for the North West’s new infantry regiment ? which will soon be recruiting in Warrington – has been approved by the Queen.
The badge – which will be worn by every officer and man in the new Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s, Lancashire and Border) will be adopted on Formation Day – July 1.
But it will make its first appearance in the near future when recruiting staff of the three regiments to be merged to form the new regiment adopt its uniform.
The cap badge is always prized as the most visible, identifiable, and memorable symbol of regimental identity.
It draws on the existing badges of the three regiments to merge – The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment and The King’s Regiment. The design was authorised by the College of Arms before submission to the Queen for final approval.
A central red rose and crown are derived from the present badge of The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, a laurel wreath comes from the badge of The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment and the motto, ‘Nec Aspera Terrent’ (Difficulties be Damned) from the King’s Regiment.
Brigadier Geoff Sheldon, Colonel of the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, said: “We are naturally delighted that our cherished Red Rose will form the central and key element of the new badge.
“The new Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment will reflect all that is best in the North West, and there is no more powerful symbol of this proud and historic region than the Red Rose of Lancaster.”
Colonel of the King’s Regiment, Colonel Malcolm Grant Haworth, said: “As a Lancastrian Regiment we have often worn the red rose before. This badge very successfully brings together the proud heritage of the three predecessor regiments.”
The new badge will be adopted by the three Regular Army battalions of the existing regiments, plus the Territorial Army’s Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers which is to become the 4th Battalion of the new Regiment.
It is just over a year since the merger of the three regiments was announced but only last November that its name was confirmed.
The Queen?s Lancashire Regiment has traditionally recruited in the Warrington area and the new regiment will be the only infantry regiment to exclusively recruit in the North West.
Boy of 15 attacked
and robbed by gang
by David Skentelbery
A GANG of up to 20 young thugs attacked a 15-year-old boy at Warrington as he walked home late at night.
The youngster, from Callands, was left with head injuries and a fractured collar bone after the incident in Westbrook Crescent.
He also had his Citizen, square-faced watch stolen.
Det Cons Ian Murray, who is investigating the offence, said: ?This was a very vicious attack on a totally innocent young boy. I am appealing for help from any local people who may have seen the attack?
Anyone who can help is asked to call DC Murray on 01244 613845.
Shortly afterwards, there was another incident in which a gang of around 20 youths attacked an adult couple at Westbrook.
Police say it is too early to say if the two incidents were linked. The couple sustained minor injuries and were treated in hospital.
Schools join for
“Network Learning”
FOUR pupils from St Augustine?s Primary School, Warrington visited Newchurch Primary School, Culcheth as part of the Network Learning scheme.
The object of the visit was to look at how pupils from different schools can enhance learning by working in teams.
Class One at Newchurch were also investigating the past today (Tuesday) when a representative of Prescot Museum visited the school, bringing artefacts of yesteryear and talking about ?home life? long ago.
Police probe
flat fire
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are investigating after fire wrecked a ground floor flat in Whitecross Road, Warrington, during the night.
Firefighters had to break into the boarded-up property – but then discovered boarding had already been removed from one rear window.
The fire had been started deliberately, it is suspected.
It is understood the flat had recently been raided by drug squad officers and had subsequently been boarded up.
No-one was in the flat when firefighters arrived at the scene. Extensive damage was caused in the lounge.
Security man attacked
by hooded raiders
by John Hendon
A SECURITY guard was attacked by a gang of four thugs when he went to investigate an intruder alarm sounding at a Warrington works.
He was overpowered and forced to unlock a business premises at the Melford Court Business Centre on the Grange Industrial Estate at Woolston.
But the raiders eventually fled virtually empty handed.
The 47-year-old guard was investigating the alarm when he was attacked from behind.
The hooded offenders forced him to unlock the premises and then forced him to the ground. They stole his mobile phone and car keys and entered the premises.
But they left without stealing anything, taking the guard?s white Citreon C3 car and dumping it nearby. The guard was left with a small cut to his wrist.
The only descriptio
n of the attackers so far is that they were all hooded and spoke with local accents. They are believed to have run off in the direction of Woolston.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information for police is asked to contact PC Ian Allen on 01244 613845.
Hospital announces plan
to switch some services
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON and Halton hospitals are to try and improve the way they work together.
North Cheshire Hospitals Trust board members ? who are responsible for both hospitals – have agreed to work up plans to change some services across the two hospitals to improve care for patients.
But a public consultation process will take place before any changes are made, chief executive Ann Marr confirmed.
The Trust believes patients are not getting the best deal from their hospitals and the situation could worsen unless changes are made. A number of problems have been identified in the way patients receive care, including:
Patients with emergency heart problems can be admitted to both hospitals, but specialist doctors and nurses are not always available at both. The solution is one cardiology department, with cardiac specialists available more of the time.
Patients who have suffered strokes are also cared for by both hospitals. But a specialist doctor cannot be guaranteed to see every patient within the ideal six hours after the attack. Again, one emergency stroke department based at one hospital will provide much better care to all patients rather than two.
The Trust has to transfer nearly twice as many patients to other hospitals for critical care (intensive and high dependency care) than any other Trust in Cheshire and Merseyside. That is not good for the patients, many of whom are very ill after an operation or accident. One expanded department is the answer, and that should be at Warrington, which has the accident and emergency Department.
Ms Marr said: ?Our whole emphasis is on the best and safest health service for patients.
?Our senior doctors have made it clear the current situation does not give the best possible care to patients, but we want to have a full and detailed discussion with our staff, the public and our stakeholders about the future shape of services. This is an opportunity for us to get it right and give both Halton and Warrington Hospitals a real and secure future.?
Trust chiefs believe the best solution would be to concentrate emergency admissions at Warrington, which has 650 beds, and bring together the staff and expertise for this to provide the very best service for patients.
The smaller Halton Hospital (230 beds) would undertake more day case surgery (both for Halton and Warrington residents) and booked operations.
Halton would also have an improved emergency assessment unit for GP referrals and a new ?programmed investigation unit?.
It would keep its minor injuries unit, which currently sees more than 20,000 patients a year, and a medical oncology unit would be based at Halton, to save cancer patients having to go to Clatterbridge for outpatient care. Bowel screening could also be set up at Halton, with improved endoscopy services.
Ann Marr said: ?These proposals are not only designed to solve problems patient face today, but they look to the future also. We have an ageing population that will need more care. We have a continuing problem in recruiting sufficient expert doctors, at the same time that European law is, quite rightly, limiting the hours doctors can work.
?We believe these proposals will better match our patients? needs with a comprehensive set of hospital services providing better care with less duplication across two hospital sites. And it will help us to bring our spending into line so that our services are sustainable for the future.?
The plan will require more beds on the Warrington site and will also require developments at Halton. The best estimate is that, following public consultation, the change could occur within 12 months, with some temporary facilities. Building new developments at both hospitals would take at least two years.
