Council steps up fight
for flood defences
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council is go on the offensive in a campaign to get the town?s flood defences improved.
Members of all three political parties joined forces to approve a motion calling on the Government, the Environment Agency and United Utilities to invest more money in public sewers and other infrastructure in the Warrington area.
The town?s two MPs will be asked to continue to lobby for funding for flood defences.
Coun Ian Marks said recent studies indicated that rainstorms and flooding are likely to increase in the future and that higher carbon dioxide levels could increase flood risks.
He said Warrington had not suffered the problems experienced elsewhere in the country, where 27,000 homes and 5,000 businesses were affected.
Worryingly 570,000 people in England and Wales now lived in areas of high risk compared to only 200,000 five years ago. Only just over half the flood defence systems were reckoned to be up to scratch Coun Marks said: ?The Environment Agency is asking for ?250 million to cope with this problem ?The Government has offered an extra ?200 million – which is good – but not until 2010/11. The money is needed now.
?Here in Warrington there are properties at risk from both tidal and fluvial flooding and in certain parts of the country building has been allowed on flood plains.
?But I’m pleased to say that no planning permissions have been approved in Warrington in the last two years against the advice of the Environment Agency who are always consulted on planning applications in areas of significant flood risk.
Coun Fiona Bruce said there were flooding problems in Penketh and a wide swathe of west Warrington had inadequate drainage. United Utilities had a statutory responsibility for drainage, pumping stations and other infrastructure and Ofwat, the water industry watchdog and given the company until May next year to resolve the problems.
The council was determined to protect local residents and was carrying out a borough-wide flood risk assessment which would be published next month. But extra funding from the Government and a national policy were essential to support Warrington?s own policies.
Coun John Morris said 5,000 people in Warrington were at risk from tidal flooding and 5,000 from other flooding. Coun Linda Dirir called for pressure to be applied to United Utilities in particular.
Coun Yvonne Fovargue said any action the council or the government took would be too late for Howley where multi-storey homes had already been built on the flood plain.
Helping the hospital that
treated leukaemia victim
by Lesley Wilkinson
FRIENDS and family of a Lymm man who died from leukaemia are hoping to raise money for the hospital that cared for him, in his memory.
David Watson, 22, of Grammar School Road, Lymm, died from leukaemia on last month after an 18-month battle with the disease.
David, (pictured)the son Dave Watson and Helen Baguley, has a sister Deborah, 18.
The funeral was at St Peter’s Church, Oughtrington, conducted by Rev Michael Burgess. At the same church in September last year Helen married her new partner Jeff.
David, who was very well known in the Lymm area, was a former pupil of Lymm High School and in his spare time supported Manchester United and played football.
When he left school he worked with the builders constructing a home for the family.
He started to get very tired and after a series of tests was diagnosed with leukaemia. He was treated at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and the family is now raising funds for the hospital.
Helen said that he fought the condition as much as he could and kept himself busy constantly upgrading his cars and enjoying family holidays in a friend’s camper van.
Anyone who would like to donate to the fund should contact Helen on 01925 758525.
Fair Trade shop lines up
birthday celebrations
by staff reporter
THE Fair Trade shop in Warrington Market is to celebrate its fifth anniversary with a host of special events.
And the shop, Fair 4 All, will also be holding a stall at Warrington Parr Hall in October when top Indie band Starsailor play a gig. Small tuck shop items, gifts and funky Fair Trade hats will be featured.
Special events to mark the anniversary will be held at the stall in the market.
On Tuesday September 11, Warrington Wolves stars will be at the stall from 4pm to 5pm. They will sign Fair Trade rugby balls especially available for purchase as part of the celebrations. Fair Trade footballs will also be available.
On Thursday September 13, there will be birthday cake and a free lucky dip for every customer.
A drumming event will be held in the Maze area of the market on Saturday September 15. There will be a short demonstrations and a chance to join in the fun. Expert drummer Vinny will lead three sessions between 11 am and 12.30pm.
Roofer offers reward to
track down arsonists
by Lesley Wilkinson
A ROOFING contractor who returned from holiday to find his van burned out is offering a ?1,000 reward for information to track down the culprits.
Ian Cusack of Lymm Roofing Company, left the van near his home in Star Lane, Lymm. It was taken from the car park and driven to another site in the village where the offenders set the Suzuki Carry alight.
Mr Cusack, 46, is angry because to replace the van and tools will cost him up to ?10,000. Because of the age of the van, his insurance will only cover ?1,500.
He said: “I had been on holiday to Wales and returned to find the damage.
“The gutter life of Lymm took a working man’s van and tried to burn it out.”
He said that someone must have seen the culprits as the van has his company name all over it. Anyone who has information should contact him on 0777350 1231.
Conferences study impact
of domestic violence
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON-based charity is staging three conferences on the impact of domestic violence.
Organised by The Relationships Centre, the courses are for those working in the field of domestic abuse, and will be held at St. Thomas Conference Centre in Manchester.
The first, on October 24, is on Domestic Violence – The Effects on Children and Young People. The interactive course will look at the impact of abuse and how it affects the child’s relationship with the adult involved.
On November 6, there will be a course called Domestic Violence is a Healthcare Issue. The course will offer advice on screening, sensitive questioning and handling disclosures.
Effective Strategies for those working with Domestic Abuse is the final course and counsellors will offer advice on how to be more effective when dealing with clients. The course will be on December 4.
Further details on courses and fees are available from the centre’s booking hotline on 01925 246925.
One way
system
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Borough Council is to make an order introducing a temporary one way system in Barsbank Lane and Star Lane, Lymm.
Barsbank Lane will be one-way in a northerly direction between Booths Hill Road and the Trans Pennine Trail/Star Lane and Star Lane will be one-way in a northerly direction between Barsbank Lane/Trans Pennine Trail and Warrington Road/Whitbarrow Road
The order comes into force from Monday October 1 for a period not exceeding 18 months although it is expected it will be in operation for only six weeks. The retrictions will be in force as and when signs are in place on site.
The alternative route for southbound traffic will be via Whitbarrow Road, Brookfield Road, Eagle Brow, Booths Hill Road.
The reason for the temporary restrictions is to allow for the installation of electricity cables.
