Cycle campaigner delighted
at “Congestion Summit”
by David Skentelbery
A CYCLE campaigner has expressed his delight at the outcome of Warrington?s Congestion Summit ? which decided the best solution to the town?s traffic chaos is to encourage alternatives to the private car.
Rod King, of the Warrington Cycle Campaign said the summit had delivered a very clear judgement that cycling, walking and public transport offer the best solution to traffic congestion.
More than 50 groups and individuals attended the event organised by Warrington Borough Council.
Mr King gave a presentation on how other towns get 60 per cent more people moved with the same number of cars by promoting cycling, walking and public transport.
However, key to the success of such encouragement is ensuring a safe environment on roads where people live, shop, go to school and work through the implementation of 20 mph on residential roads, he said.
This is endorsed by the substantial public support for 20 mph on residential roads which exceeds 80 per cent.
Mr King stressed that Warrington had recently been given new freedoms and responsibilities by central government to implement 20 mph speed limits without physical measures being mandatory.
He said: ?Warrington has a huge opportunity to make all its residential roads safer for its communities, and make better use of the roads to maximise the ratio of journeys to cars.
“We are delighted that the conference delegates from a wide spectrum of councillors, officials and interested parties endorsed our views that the most economic and practical way to tackle congestion was to provide better alternatives to the private car.
?Other towns have reduced dependency on the car and created a healthier environment with many more children and adults cycling or walking to school or work. With up to 60 per cent more journeys for the same number of cars this makes excellent sense. It is encouraging to see the council moving towards changes that can really deliver better transport options for all road users.”
Holly in
seventh heaven
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON beauty Holly Ikin, reached the final seven in the Miss England competition at the Athena in Leicester competing against 90 girls from across the country.
Holly from Culcheth, became the highest placed Miss Warrington in the competition in a decade, finishing in the final 7.
The girls were divided into five regions, the North, Northwest, Midlands, the South, and Home counties. Each group had a county queen award and Holly won the award for the Northwest Region, beating the likes of Miss Liverpool, Manchester and many more.
Holly said: ?When my number was announced for being the County Queen winner, I couldn?t believe it and had to check that it was actually me that they had said!
The top 30 girls then competed in a bikini round and were then reduced to a final 15 ? Holly was again ecstatic when she realised that she had made the next cut! The top 15 then went had to have compete in an interview round. This was judged and then the girls were narrowed down to a final 7.
Holly added: ?To make the final 30 was unbelievable, but when they announced Miss Warrington as being in the final 7, I was in a state of shock. I had been backstage and my sash had fallen off but I told people not to worry about it as I didn?t think I stood a chance of being named in the final 7!
?When I was I had to have someone creep on with the sash for me! I am still overjoyed at how it all went and I am proud that I was able to represent my home town and do so well.”
Holly wants to thank everyone in Warrington for their continued support.
Students’ passing out parade
GRADUATION for public service students at Warrington Collegiate took the form of a passing out parade.
The youngsters? hard work and dedication was praised as they paraded for inspection by the college governors.
Carl Byrne, National Diploma in Public Services teacher, said: “The students have all passed and got their qualifications.
“It is two years hard work and we have a parade and a ball in the evening for them.
“They march and get inspected by the school governors.
“The students also get awards for various things from throughout the year, from best male and female to most improved.”
Carl is proud of his pupils and feels they are a cut above.
He said: “Our best male and female have run around Warrington in fancy dress to raise money for a trip to India.
“That is what makes them a little bit different and special.”
Alliance pledge for
the next five years
by John Hendon
CHESHIRE and Warrington Economic Alliance (CWEA) has celebrated its 5th anniversary – with a pledge to carry on ?investing in success? for the next five years.
The group has been responsible for a number of initiatives across the borough and the county ? not least developing a strategy which identified more than ?300 million of investment in its first three years.
It also brought together key business leaders as ?business ambassadors, promoting the county and the town, and ensure ? through a ?3.2 million investment from the North West Development Agency ? that every telephone exchange in the area has broadband capability.
CWEA?s chief executive, Martin Lee, was also its first employee.
It was supported at the start by Cheshire County Council, Warrington Borough Council and the North West Development Agency.
Now it has a wide range of partners including major businesses, all the local authorities, universities, chambers of commerce and key government agencies. By working with these partners across Cheshire and Warrington, CWEA has led the growth strategy for the local economy.
It has also supported the creation and development of the Cheshire and Warrington Tourism Board.
Mr Lee said: “We celebrate the fact that Cheshire and Warrington has a successful economy with innovative and entrepreneurial businesses; a very high quality of life and some of the best schools, colleges and universities in the UK – in other words a wonderful place to live, work and to bring up kids.
?CWEA seeks to increase business investment into the area by providing a forum for open discussion of key priorities between businesses and government bodies.
?We have worked hard to make sure that government and other public agencies recognise that investing tax-payer’s money in Cheshire and Warrington is both effective and excellent value for money.?
Mr Lee added: ?We are now working hard to develop projects to support our disadvantaged communities, especially those who are out of work; enterprise and innovation initiatives; an international school; as well as major transport and skills projects.
?I am looking forward to continuing to ‘Invest in Success’ in the coming five years.”
Pictured?Mr Lee on a visit to 10 Downing Street.
New health watchdog
group on the way
by David Skentelbery
A NEW group is to be set up to safeguard the interests of hospital patients and others using the National Health Service at Warrington.
The Local Involvement Network (LINk) will replace the existing Patient and Public Involvement Forum which will disappear with the abolition of the Commission for Patients and Public Involvement.
Warrington Borough Council will commission a host organisation to establish a LINk which will cover the whole borough.
Main difference between the new LINk system and the old PPIF is that:
It will place the same emphasis on the patients experience and care as on the service provision itself.
The LINk will aim to support a more holistic view and approach to patient care, moving away from the invisible boundaries created through either a disease specific (diabetes, heart disease) or facility based focus. The patient?s ease of movement from GP visit through to aftercare requirements will aim to
provide a more accurate view of local service provision and helping to identify gaps
LINKs will have the remit to gather the information and the experiences of people regarding the health and social care services they receive, promoting the further integration of health and social care agendas. The inclusion of social care within LINk?s scope is a significant development on current PPIF activity, which has only focused on health related services.
The Government is allowing LINks to be development to reflect local needs and circumstances. But it will be a network of various groups and individuals with an interest in health and social care policy.
Warrington is putting in place the steps needed to be able to respond effectively to LINk developments. The council will be allocated funds to procure a host organisation that will then set up the LINk ? hopefully by April 1 next year.
Man, 33, punched,
kicked in park
by David Skentelbery
A MAN was attacked, kicked and punched as he walked through a Warrington park in the early hours of the morning.
The 33-year-old had to spend several days in hospital after the attack in Bank Park on Thursday, June 28.
He was walking through the park shortly after midnight when he was approached by a gang of men, all wearing dark clothing and hooded tops.
The victim was knocked to the floor and then kicked repeatedly as he lay on the ground.
He suffered numerous bruises to the head and body.
Police are seeking witnesses of the attack. Anyone who can help should call DC Moira Hay on o1244 613835.
