Residents slam school
parking scheme as “joke”
by David Skentelbery
FURIOUS residents have slammed a scheme to end problems caused by ?school run? parking at Appleton, Warrington, as ?a joke.?
Residents of Beechways, Appleton say they are suffering a ?shambolic? traffic problem most mornings as a result of parents dropping off children at Bridgewater High School.
They claim they have been campaigning for seven years for action to ban school traffic from their road.
Borough council chiefs promised to provide a special lay-by in London Road ? and said the work would be carried out during the Easter holiday.
But in fact, the ?lay-by? turned to be nothing more than lines painted on the road ? which the residents say are making matter worse.
A deputation of residents attended the monthly meeting of Appleton Parish Council to voice their anger.
They said the so-called lay-by cut through a cycle lane and included space which had been previously been marked ?School Zone No Parking.?
It had reduced the amount of space available for cars to stop, with the result that more motorists were trying to park in residential roads such as Beechways.
One householder said: ?The ?cure? has turned out to be worse than the problem.?
Coun John Price called for a dialogue between the parish council and the school.
?The parking situation is clearly organised chaos ? particularly in the morning. We should start a dialogue before a child is killed.?
Coun Nick Carter said it was a wider problem as there were five schools in Appleton. Parents needed educating about problem.
?I asked one driver if he realised he was parking illegally and he replied ?So what?? and walked away.?
The council agreed to express to Warrington Borough Council and to send a deputation to see the headteacher at Bridgewater High.
60 firefighters tackle
power station blaze
by David Skentelbery
MORE than 60 firefighters were called to the giant Fiddler?s Ferry Power Station after fire broke out on a 150 ft high roof.
Dense clouds of black smoke climbed into the sky above the plant and the power station was evacuated.
But within 90 minutes, fire crews had the blaze under control.
The blaze involved bitumen on a boiler house roof where repairs were being carried out.
Fourteen fire appliances from Warrington, Cheshire and Merseyside were involved in the operation, including a hydraulic platform.
A Fire Service spokesman said there were five seats of fire on the roof, and firefighters had to establish water supplies at roof level ? which took about 20 minutes.
The smoke plume rose almost vertically so nearby properties were not affected and it was not necessary to close the main Warrington-Widnes road.
After the blaze had been extinguished, crews used thermal image cameras to inspect the premises with works personnel to ensure there were no remaining hot spots.
The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental but investigations are continuing in conjunction with the company.
The spokesman added: ?The premises concerned measured approximately 200 x 300 meters and prompt action by the initial crews on the scene prevented the blaze from spreading further.?
Plant operators SSE said in a statement that the fire occurred in an area where contractors were making repairs to a roof.
“It appears that some being used ignited, and although this was a very small fire, it produced large amounts of black smoke.
“At no time was there any danger to the operation of the power station and we can confirm that there have been no injuries.
“Staff were evacuated for a short time but the fire is now completely out and staff have returned to work.”
Pictured…the scene at the power station as evacuated workers waited outside the plant and, (lower picture) smoke still rises from the roof more than an hour after the fire broke out.
Toll route for
horse riders
by Lesley Wilkinson
PLANS for a toll ride for local riders are being pursued by Lymm Equestrian Group Action for Safe Passage campaign.
Member Claire Royle said it is two years since the campaign for safe passage was launched and members have been extremely busy.
“We have successfully gained more off-road access and are currently in the process of setting up the first toll ride for our group members,” she said.
“This looks like the way forward for off-road riding and may assist landowners in making increased revenue from the use of government controlled headland/margins within their land.”
The group is looking for new members to help with research and consultation with the authorities. Members regularly meet Lymm Parish Council and Warrington Borough Council to put their case.
Claire said increased traffic and housing development meant less open spaces in the village. Members were also campaigning for appropriate surfacing around Lymm Dam.
“Its current condition – down to the hardcore base – means that walkers, loose dogs and prams tend to use the bridleway as a preferred surface,” she said.
Police to target
illegal parkers
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CLAMPDOWN on parking problems around schools in Woolston, Warrington, will result in those parking illegally receiving warning notices on their windscreens.
Police are monitoring car parking around three primary schools in Woolston – Woolston Primary, Woolston CE Primary and St Peter’s RC Primary.
Details of the offending cars will be handed over to each school and those who are causing a major obstruction will receive a fixed penalty.
Police Community Support Officer Katie Morris said: “I feel we have to act now as the safety of the children in our schools is a priority.
“The obstructive parking is not only an inconvenience to local residents but causes traffic jams. It makes crossing the roads a danger for the children.”
She said the area is regularly congested in the mornings and afternoons, because of the proximity of the three schools. And that although Woolston Leisure Centre has agreed that parents can use their car park, only a few people have taken up the offer.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for parents to park in a safe place and walk to the school gates with their children,” said PCSO Morris.
“We would encourage everyone to take up the offer.”
Parents are also being encouraged to use the “walking bus” set up last year. The scheme, which is due to start again soon, runs once a week from the leisure centre, and is operated by teachers and parents.
“This initiative shows how the police and schools are working together for the safety of children and we want to thank the head teachers for their support,” said PCSO Morris.
Watchdogs warn
of internet scam
by staff reporter
WATCH out for a monopoly card Internet scam!
That’s the warning from Warrington Trading Standards following a number of reports from people who had fallen victim to the scam.
McDonalds is currently running a promotion based around the board game Monopoly. There are tokens on some of the meals that they sell, many of which equate to properties on a monopoly board. If you collect all of the properties that relate to a particular colour then there are a variety of prizes on offer.
However, some people are trying to scam people out of large sums of money, up to ?1,000, by selling cards from a standard monopoly board game on Ebay. They are claiming that the cards are part of the promotion, and allowing consumers to think that they could be in with a chance of winning a prize.
Trading Standards is working with the restaurant and the police to put a stop to the scam.
Less pain for drivers
as road scheme starts
by staff reporter
A MAJOR road scheme involving Woolston Grange Avenue, Warrington will not cause residents quite as much pain as originally believed!
The borough council is now advising residents that there are no plans to close Manchester Road as part of the scheme.
Originally it was thought there would have to be some night time closures of Manchester Road, but engineers now find these closure will not be necessary.
The improvement works which started on April 16, are to dual the existing carriageway at Woolston Grange Avenue between the Chesford Grange and Hardwick Grange roundabouts.
Night time road closures will be needed on Woolston Grange Avenue later in the year and information will be released nearer the time.
