Parking attendants
take to the streets
by Gary Skentelbery
PARKING attendants are now taking to the streets of Warrington for the first time to start a clampdown on illegal parking in the town.
But motorists are being given a warning period before full enforcement begins on February 5 when fines of up to ?90 will be issued to those who ignore yellow lines and parking restrictions.
The new uniformed attendants, numbering around eight, are currently issuing warning tickets as part of their training prior to the new act taking coming into force.
Warrington Borough Council is embarking on the decriminalisation of car parking in response to changes in the law, with the council taking over the enforcement of parking regulations from Cheshire Police, who have been unable to give parking enforcement priority for some time – with motorists effectively getting away with illegal parking in many places for several years.
The council has been quick to point out that it is not a money making venture as salaried contractors will not be awarded a bonus for the number of tickets issued.
Phil Johnson, head of transportation said:”We have been going to great lengths to ensure people know in advance about the changes, including a leaflet to every home in the borough.
“Our aim is to make the roads of Warrington safer. Any money that is made will be ploughed back into improving the transportation system.
“This will result in safer and more sensible parking in the town and local villages and will bring Warrington in line with more than 150 other councils across the country.”
As well as clearer roads and pavements making it safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, there will also be better traffic flow, fewer accidents from safer parking, reduced congestion, improved air quality from traffic flowing more freely and easier access for emergency services.
To deliver this service, the Council has appointed a specialist parking contractor APCOA. It will operate a team of uniformed parking attendants (see picture) across the borough and will issue Penalty Charge Notices (parking tickets) to vehicles that are parked incorrectly.
There is a ?60 fine for illegal parking. However, if paid within 14 days it reduces to ?30. If paid after 28 days it rises to ?90. Unpaid penalty charges are a civil debt recoverable in the same ways as any other such debt.
NWDA chief predicts
exciting year for town
by Gary Skentelbery
NORTH West Development Agency Chief Steven Broomhead has predicted an exciting year ahead for Warrington in an exclusive ww.warrington.tv interview with editor Gary Skentelbery. He believes the forthcoming Omega development will provide a “springboard” for the local economy in what has been a challenging project.
Of particular concerns are the traffic implications for the town, which Mr Broomhead says must be tackled along with the on-set of climate change.
He also outlines the proposals for a new business service being launched from April 1 which will replace the existing Business Link in the town.
Local invention set to
be a world beater
by business staff
A WARRINGTON invention looks set to revolutionise the world of colour ink production ? making better inks faster than any other machine on the market.
Local business partners John Allen and Alan Taylor (pictured) are the brains behind the Microtron – a machine which is already attracting custom from ink industry giants worldwide.
With help from UK Trade and Investment, who are providing contacts for potential distributors and partners and who have helped fund trade visits overseas, their company, CDC Microtron Ltd, has signed Joint Venture deals in China and North America to help them make the most of their global business opportunities.
The Microtron, designed and developed by former colour chemist Alan, can make ultra-fine particles that produce better quality inks with richer and light stable pigmented colours. This in turn leads to superior quality printing.
The technology can also be used in the chemical industry to produce a range of superior quality agro-chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Within weeks of perfecting their product, John and Alan joined forces with Jaingyin Chemical Machinery Company Ltd in China, to manufacture the machine under licence to Asian markets.
Unusually for a company in China, where building up a business relationship can take years, Jaingyin signed the deal during John and Alan’s second visit, forming a new 50/50 company Jiangyin Microtron Ltd.
CDC Microtron has also signed a joint venture deal with a major US supplier in Chicago who will fulfil a similar role in the Americas, and their intention is to have a large network of European distributors.
The Microtron’s secret is to use a newly developed sophisticated technology to produce smaller, more consistent particle sizes. For inks, paints and colourants, this means better colour strength and more economical use of pigments. In the chemical industry finer particles allow greater reactivity, easier cell penetration, better surface area coverage and more efficient use of chemicals.
These factors alone would give the Microtron a clear advantage over its competitors, but its really unique selling point is that it takes a fraction of the time of other machines – reducing production times drastically, resulting in huge savings for clients.
In addition, the Microtron is fully computer controlled and machines from anywhere in the world can be monitored from CDC’s premises in Willow Court Business Park.
It took four years of product development, testing and trials before the Microtron was completed – but now the hard work has paid off, and their unique machine looks set to become a worldwide market leader.
John said: “We never stopped believing that we could create a unique product which would drastically cut production times and produce a better quality product than other machines on the market.
“It has taken time, but we have produced a machine that achieves near perfect inks and chemicals very quickly, and independent tests have proved that the Microtron gives superior results against the competition in considerably less time.
“After four years of hard work we finally have the product we dreamed of, and we are confident that the Microtron will prove a very competitive product with huge overseas trade potential.”
Health chiefs warn
of cold weather
by John Hendon
HEALTH chiefs in Warrington are warning older people to be prepared for cold weather.
The Met Office is forecasting a number of ?cold snaps? later this month and during February and Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT) is reminding people of ways to keep warm, well and safe.
Kerry Broadhead, assistant director, Health Improvement for Adults, Warrington PCT, said: “January 30 statistically is the coldest day of the year and we urge everyone, but especially older people, to take measures to look after their health at this time of year.”
Warrington PCT has been involved in a number of Keep Warm, Well and Safe initiatives and currently is working with Warrington Collegiate and Warrington Borough Council to deliver a series of Winter Warmer courses at different venues around the community.
Various speakers from local agencies provide advice on coping with the cold. Topics include healthy eating, energy efficiency, avoiding falls, doorstep crime, safety in the home and managing medication.
Details of courses, venues and timing, can be obtained from Carole Houghton or Shirley Houghton at Warrington Collegiate on 01925 851806.
The PCT adds that many older people have taken up its annual offer of a free flu jab to protect themselves. But they are still available from GP practices.
For people who are unfortunate enough to catch a cold or flu this winter, the PCT says the main tips for looking after yourself are to drink plenty
of fluids, get plenty of rest, keep warm and avoid cigarette smoke.
Additionally, it may be wise to stock up on medicines, available from pharmacies, which relieve aches, pains, fever and blocked noses. Steam inhalations may help clear blocked sinuses and sucking ice or throat lozenges can help sore throats.
Sanctuary – not a complete
answer to violence
by staff reporter
THE Government?s Sanctuary Scheme ? designed to help people affected by violent, unhealthy relationships ? is not a complete answer to a society-wide problem, according to a Warrington-based charity.
Charity group The Relationships Centre says a person in need of help because of violence, often has to contact 12 different agencies before they get the assistance they require.
The government is rolling the scheme out nationwide at a cost of ?74 million.
But Relationships Centre spokeswoman Marissa Hankinson said: “The Sanctuary Scheme, in some cases, will allow women to stay in their own homes. However, it takes on average, a person to contact 12 different agencies before they get the help that they need.
?Our client’s safety and their needs are of paramount importance to us, but there is not always the funding or the services available to ensure that the person requesting help gets it.” Elaine ? whose real name has to be withheld ? is a client of The Relationships Centre.
She said: “I was surprised when I ended my relationship with my boyfriend. I naively thought that the abuse would stop, but it escalated and he continually harassed me.
?Through the support at The Relationships Centre, I was re-located and I was able to have a reinforced door and a personal alarm.
?I had just left a violent relationship and was sleeping on a friend’s sofa. I had given up everything. But they were able to give me emotional and practical support. I have now got a house and I am starting to get my life back on track.”
Anyone affected by domestic abuse can contact The Relationships Centre on 0800 783 9636 at any time.
“Strong concern”
over clinic closure
by staff reporter
MEMBERS of Stockton Heath Parish Council have raised ?strong concerns? at proposals to close the clinic in Whitefield Road, Stockton Heath.
Warrington Primary Care Trust has confirmed that the clinic, along with Lymm Clinic ? will be closing by April l.
Most services and staff will be transferred to Grappenhall Clinic and Annexe in Springfield Road, Grappenhall.
Parish councillors are particularly concerned about accessibility problems for users of the Springfield Road facility.
A member of the PCT team will attend a future meeting of the parish council to discuss the closure of the Stockton Heath clinic.
News in brief
Tanker derailed
A RAIL tanker containing 40,000 litres of diesel fuel was derailed at Arpley Sidings, Warrington during the night. Fire crews stood by for more than two hours while Railtrack staff isolated overhead power lines and put the vehicle back on track. There was no spillage.
The Gipsy Baron
THE Three Towns Operatic Society are to stage “The Gipsy Baron” by Johann Strauss at Lowton Civic Hall, near Warrington, from May 15-19.
Annual meeting
THE annual general meeting of the women’s bowls team at Warrington Irish Club takes place at the club on Monday, January 29. More details from Celia Fitzpatrick on 01925 639835.
Musical evening
THERE will be an evening of music, prayers and poems at Bold Street Methodist Church, Warrington on Sunday (January 29) to mark Homelessness Sunday. Taking part in the event are Opening Doors, the YMCA and Bold Street Church.
Cafe grant
MEMBERS of Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council have agreed to make a grant of ?250 to Kath’s Cafe, a community cafe at Fearnhead Community Centre. The money will pay for a replacement fridge-freezer.
