Campaign launched
to keep roads safe
by Gary Skentelbery
NEW hard hitting measures are being introduced as part of a campaign to help reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on Warrington’s roads. These include high visibility traffic signs and special enforcement areas which will be targeted by police.
The Warrington Road Safety Partnership, which includes the Borough Council, Cheshire Constabulary, Cheshire Fire Service, and NHS is introducing the signs following a pilot run and further trials.
The Signing Strategy is aimed at reducing accidents and injuries on the roads and also to enforce some of the laws that drivers need to be aware of.
Drivers will be able to spot the signs as they will be marked with ‘Police Enforcement Area Ahead’ with an interchangeable panel, which will include road safety messages to drivers about enforcement activity and penalty points.
The messages will cover a variety of messages including:
‘Minimum penalty for speeding ?60’
‘Severe penalties for drink drivers’
‘Minimum penalty for using a mobile phone while driving ?30’
(This will increase to ?60 On February 27 following new legislation).
They will be rotated or changed to coincide with enforcement by Cheshire Police or support local and national road safety campaigns.
The signs will be operational at: A562 Warrington Road, Penketh, A56 Chester Road, Walton, A49 London Road, Appleton, A56 Camsley Lane/Booths Hill Road, Lymm and the A57 Manchetser Road, Rixton.
Coun Brian Axcell, Executive Board Member for Environment Services, said: “This is just one of the many projects that the Warrington Road Safety Partnership is working on.
“A crucial role of the partnership is to educate people about road safety, and that’s everyone including pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorists, to help keep our roads safe. It’s very easy to forget the rules when you are driving but those rules are there for a reason – to protect you and other people.”
Agency boss
says sorry
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON based North West Development Agency chief executive Steven Broomhead, 50, has issued an apology for sending a text about a Pakistani shopkeeper.
Mr Broomhead, has admitted making an error of judgement after forwarding a text he received on his mobile phone and says he is not racist and was just “thoughtless”.
He said: “I received an inappropriate text message to my mobile phone and should have just deleted it.
“But without thinking, I forwarded the message on to the mobile phone of an individual outside the NWDA.
“This was an error of judgement on my part and is something that I deeply regret. It was inappropriate and thoughtless and does not reflect my personal opinions in any way.
“There was no intention on my part to cause offence and I would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence I may have caused.”
The NWDA launched an investigation after receiving an external complaint that Mr Broomhead sent the text to a company mobile phone in November.
It was apparently discovered when that person left their job and returned the phone.
A NWDA spokesperson said: “With regards to the complaint against an individual NWDA employee, this matter is being dealt with internally and the NWDA considers this matter to be closed.”
New book celebrates
Warrington For Ever!
by Gary Skentelbery
A NEW book revealing what makes Warrington unique as a town and celebrating the distinctive character of its many districts has been published by local historian Jancie Hayes.
Janice, who has worked at Warrington Museum for more than 25 years has teamed up with Alan Crosby, one of Britain’s best known local historians as Editor of The Local Historian and author and designer of the BBC’s History Trail website, to publish “Warrington For Ever!”
The book combines acrhive research with memories and photographs gathered from the community groups who have recorded their own histories. Together with the portraits of local places are the stories of the local people, the ‘Warringtonians’ – famous, infamous and ‘ordinary’ – who have helped shape Warrington’s past.
‘Warrington For Ever! examines the changing face of Warrington and factors which have shaped its growth, zooming in on 15 district areas ranging from the historic town centre to picturesque outlying rural districts and workaday housing estates.
This remarkable book celebrates the work of all those who have still to exlpore the fascinating history of their own area, or to document the life of another warringtonian who personal story is a missing piece of the jigsaw of Warrington’s past.
Janice’s particular interests lie in researching the town’s history, adding to the museum’s important photographic archive and helping communities to record their past. Her previous publications include “Warrington as it was and changing Warrington 1770’s-1990’s.”
College celebrates
outstanding year
by Gary Skentelbery
PRIESTLEY College Warrington celebrated a year of unrivalled success when former students returned to campus for the annual presentation evening.
The academic year (2005-06) saw some landmark and outstanding achievements for the College with A-Level results standing at an all time high of 99.3%, whilst 34 out of 38 subjects had an impeccable 100% record.
The performances of some individual students was remarkable. These included James Sanders who landed five straight A grades and also notched a 600 from 600 score in his A2 Maths. James was one of the top five national performers in Physics and is now studying the subject alongside Maths at The University of Manchester. On the night he scooped the most prestigious award – The Plinston Prize for Academic Excellence.
Fellow students Hannah Slater and Annice Callery (both Art) were also in the top five national performers for their Art courses. Annice scooped The Priestley College Award for Art & Design and is now at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London.
The academic year also saw ambitious building plans begin as ?7 million was invested on a project which will see the creation of a new building as well as extensive refurbishment work. All will be completed in time for September 2007.
Norma Cadwaller, Strategic Director for Children?s Services in Warrington was the guest speaker and handed out a range of prizes, while The Mayor Coun Mrs Linda Dirir was also in attendance. Sam Clarke, The former President of the Student Council offered a vote of thanks to the guests on an evening that saw him rewarded with the prize for Contribution to College Life and the Wider Community.
College Principal Michael Southworth was delighted with the way the event unfolded. He said: ?We took great pleasure in welcoming the class of 2006 back to College for a thoroughly enjoyable evening, which was well received in all quarters.
?I wish our departing students all the best for the future and once again take this opportunity to congratulate them on a record breaking year.?
Sailors get on their
bikes for charity
SAILORS from Warrington’s adopted submarine HMS Turbulent took part in a virtual cycle ride in aid of the Mayor’s charity appeal during a visit to the town.
The crew of the Turbulent took part in the event at Warrington Market, cycling the 276 miles from Warrington to their base in Plymouth.
During their visit to the town the crew also visited the Warrington Peace Centre, where they met peace campaigners Colin and Wenday Parry.
New fundraiser
seeks volunteers
by staff reporter
A new community fundraiser has been appointed by MacMillan Cancer Support in Warrington.
Aimee Scally, is responsible for North West Cheshire and Wirral, and is delighted to see so many members and friends of the local community working hard to support Macmillan, and those affec
ted by cancer.
Aimee said: “We want everyone affected by cancer to receive the right level of treatment and support regardless of who they are and where they live…I could tell you a story about a new year miracle, or tell you about how we helped a family at christmas, but I don’t need miracles, gimmicks or stories because we are very good at what we do! My job is to continue raising funds within North West Cheshire and the Wirral which will enable Macmillan to continue the support and care which is needed…So lets get together; why not fundraise with us…for you!
“We have something for everyone who would like to fundraise or support Macmillan Cancer Support, from national events that can take place at home or at work, to challenge events here and overseas; whilst the opportunity to become a ‘Macmillan Cancer Voice’ and help to campaign for better cancer care is a support which we couldn’t do without.
Aimee is looking for people and groups to take part in fund-raising events like the recent Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.
“You could always take part in the ‘Big Hush’…Think of it…Silence from your pupils; why not hold your own raffle or ‘Name the Bear’ competition.,” she added.
For more Information, please contact Aimee on 01925 846762 or email [email protected]
Go green in
the New Year
by staff reporter
MEMBERS of the public are being urged to go green in 2007.
Although Christmas may seem like a life-time ago it is believed many people still have their Christmas trees and greetings cards lying around, which can be recycled.
The Council is encouraging residents to take advantage of the recycling programmes during in January, where Tesco, TK Maxx and WH Smith stores across Warrington are providing special recycling bins for shoppers to recycle their cards until February1 . Alternatively, they can take cards to cardboard recycling units found across the town.
Christmas trees can still be taken along to the Recycling and Household Waste Centres, based at Sandy Lane in Stockton Heath, New Cut Lane in Woolston and the largest centre off Barnard Street, Sankey Bridges. The sites are open on every day of the week from 8am to 4pm.
Coun Brian Axcell, Executive Board Member for Environment Services, said: “All residents should try to recycle more in 2007 and recycling old greeting cards and trees are the best way to start. Most household waste can be recycled and even one extra newspaper or glass jar can make a difference.”
[ 18.01.2007, 14:21: Message edited by: DS ]
