Clampdown on
illegal parking
by Gary Skentelbery
A CLAMPDOWN on illegal parking in Warrington is set to take place with motorists facing fines of up to ?90 if they ignore yellow lines and parking restrictions.
Warrington Borough Council is embarking on the decriminalisation of car parking from February 5 with new arrangements for enforcement ensuring the town’s streets are managed efficiently and effectively.
In response to changes in the law, the council is 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.
But the council is 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 are 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 parking attendants 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.
Coun Brian Axcell, executive member for Environment Services, said: “This is a massive undertaking for the Council and it’s not a money making scheme. It’s all about improving road safety, helping to reduce congestion and enabling residents to park near their own homes. Any surplus money that is generated through the scheme will be spent specifically on local transport related issues.
“This scheme will also help us to address parking and road safety problems experienced by road users and pedestrians and the message is simple -if you park correctly, then you have nothing to worry about.”
For more information and general parking enquiries, visit the website at www.warrington.gov.uk
Teenager charged with
conspiracy to murder
by court reporter
A TEENAGER from Warrington has been charged with conspiracy to murder after a youth was shot while riding a cycle through a Manchester park.
Neville Paul, 18, of Buttermere Avenue, Orford and and a 15-year-old boy from Stretford appeared before Trafford magistrates charged with conspiracy to murder.
A 17-year-old was shot three times receiving injuries in the back, stomach and leg as he cycled through Longford Park in Stretford.
The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with robbery.
?105,000 boost for
town?s special babies
by staff reporter
VULNERABLE, sick and premature babies in Warrington are to benefit from new state-of-the-art incubators.
North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust is in the process of purchasing seven new incubators, worth ?15,000 each, to provide vital life saving care at Warrington Hospital’s Neonatal Unit.
Funding has been provided by the Trust as well as by donors, including ?1,250 which is set to be presented to the Trust by representatives of The Ombudsman Service on Wednesday, January 10.
Employees of the Stockton Heath-based service, which resolves disagreements between public communications, gas and electricity providers and customers, decided to raise money for the Neonatal Unit because it is a valued local service.
Chris McAlpine, investigations manager for The Ombudsman Service, said: “Many of our staff live in and around Warrington and we believe that it is important to support valuable local services.”
He added that when deciding upon a worthy recipient, the majority of staff consulted chose the Neonatal Unit.
They raised the money by organising two separate sponsored events – a Snowdon climb for the men and a journey into a maize maze for the women.
Chris led the men’s expedition. He said: “The weather was particularly bad that day – high winds and driving rain but the 10-strong group of us made it up and more importantly down, without the need of a rescue helicopter.”
The women’s challenge was organised by Sarah Daniel, the service’s Senior Investigations Officer.
She said: “Although not as physically demanding as the men’s task, navigating the maze proved more complicated than it looked and I think we were lucky to get out before nightfall.”
It is the second year in a row that The Ombudsman Service has raised money for the Neonatal Unit. Last year it raised more than ?1,000.
Rita Jones, senior nurse manager on the Neonatal Unit, said: “Poorly babies will benefit from the incubators which are used to closely monitor those who are ill or born prematurely.
“We are providing the new incubators because the technology available is constantly advancing and we wanted to ensure that North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust is providing the most effective care to our babies.
“We cannot thank all the people involved enough for their hard work, innovative fundraising ideas and support.”
Masked men
grab car
by David Skentelbery
THREE masked men stole a car at Lymm, near Warrington, after threatening the owner and his partner.
No-one was hurt in the incident, but the couple were left badly shaken.
A 43-year-old man parked his car on the drive of a house in Rushgreen Road at 8.20pm and was joined by his partner. They were about to go out in the car, a black Volkeswagen Golf.
But they were approached by three men wearing dark clothing and balaclava masks who threatened them and demanded the keys.
The 43-year-old handed over the keys and two of the offenders drove off in it, heading in the direction of Partington. The third man walked off in the same direction.
Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen the incident or the car after it left the scene. Anyone who can help is asked to call DC Gary Smith on 01244 613835.
A chance to
quiz the police
by John Hendon
THE next meeting of Warrington Police Forum will be held on Tuesday, January 16 at the Gateway Centre, in Sankey Street. It will start at 7pm.
Forum chairman Peter Walker said: ?These open meetings provide an ideal opportunity for the people of Warrington to raise issues about policing with the Police Authority and the Constabulary.
?Policing is a vitally important public service and by participating in these meetings, you can influence how your local policing service is delivered. You don’t need an invite – just turn up on the 16th?.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to give their views on police funding and will see presentations on ARCAngel ? the police initiative to reduce alcohol related crime. There will also be a question-and-answer session.
Conferences will tackle the
problems of sexual abuse
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON-based charity The Relationships Centre is to host two conferences focussing on how professionals handle disclosure by their clients around the difficult topic of incest.
The confer
ences, the culmination of three years? research on how the impact of childhood abuse can affect people in later life, will be on February 22 at Manchester and April 24 at Birmingham.
Pam Arnold, director of services at The Relationships Centre said: “The research undertaken around the impact on parenting was the first in the UK, as previously research had been conducted in the USA.
?As a society, we are aware that incest is a taboo topic but at The Relationships Centre alone, 23 per cent of our clients have disclosed experiences of childhood sexual abuse and confirmed that it has impacted their parenting.
?This conference will actively bring together professionals and survivors to discuss their own experiences and how we can ensure that the needs of those that do come forward are continually met.”
Sexual abuse is a secret problem and when it happens, children are made to feel they mustn’t tell anyone. The conferences will see the launch of a series of resources to help those affected by sexual abuse along with a guide for professionals on how they can actively work with survivors to overcome their issues.
The project was funded by the Department of Further Education and Skills? Family Support Grant.
Keynote speakers include Gillian Finch, founder member of CIS’ters, Fay Maxted, national co-ordinator for The Survivors Trust, Dr Gill Aitken, a leading clinical psychologist and Kathryn Gutteridge, consultant midwife and psychotherapist.
There will also be speakers from The Relationships Centre disseminating the results of the three year project.
Anyone who would like to know more about the conferences, the project or who has been affected by the issue should contact The Relationships Centre on 01925 246910 or email [email protected]
Pantomine opens
at Parr Hall
by staff reporter
THE curtain has gone up on Warrington?s annual pantomime at the Parr Hall.
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp will light up the stage until January 14 ? and offers plenty of family fun.
The show, from British Stage Productions, features comedian Ian Moore as Widow T****ey and contains all the ingredients of a great night out.
There are lots of chances to boo the villain, cheer the hero and join in with all the fun of the traditional pantomime.
Aladdin opened last night (Friday) and runs until January 14. More information is available from the Parr Hall box office on 01925 442345 or the website www.pyramid.org.uk
Where to recycle
festive left-overs
ANYONE wanting to make sure Christmas cards are recycled can take them to a number of places in Warrington.
Cards can be taken to borough council cardboard recycling units throughout the borough. They can also be taken to the WH Smith store, Tesco and TK Maxx.
Old Christmas trees can be taken to the council?s household waste centres in Sandy Lane, Stockton Heath, New Cut Lane, Woolston and off Barnard Street, Sankey Bridges.
