Floodwater threat as
rain lashes town again
by David Skentelbery
EMERGENCY services were on full alert as more heavy rain storms lashed the Warrington area.
Unlike last month, there were no reports of homes being flooded.
But torrential rain turned several roads into rivers ? with Liverpool Road, at Sankey Bridges, flooded to a depth of more than a foot yesterday (Thursday).
Householders, who have lived for years with the fear that their homes would be inundated, could only stand and watch as the water rose. Mercifully it stopped inches short of their front doorsteps.
But the road ? which prior to the construction of Sankey Way was the main route to Merseyside from Manchester ? was impassable to traffic.
Elsewhere, Marsh House Lane was closed to traffic when floodwater more than a foot deep collected under a bridge.
A number of other bridges were affected by flooding.
It was the second time in a fortnight that floods have hit the Warrington area.
On the previous occasion there was flooding at Orford ? where a number of homes in the Cleveland Road-Sandy Lane area were inundated ? Sankey Bridges, Dallam and Bewsey.
Earlier this week there was flooding in the village centre at Lymm.
The borough council has announced an urgent investigation into flooding blackspots across the borough.
Councillors are concerned about a backlog of work that is building up on collapsed drains and blocked gullies.
Coun Ian Marks, leader of the borough council told the last meeting of the council: ?We have no idea of the scale of the problem but I suspect it?s big requiring a massive investment to sort out.
?As first step we are instructing the relevant officers to do an audit of the problem in conjunction with other organisations like United Utilities.
?Once we have the facts we will be in a position to come up with a plan of action and see if other sources of funding are available.?
Coun Mike Hannon said some areas of the town had been badly affected, with homes and gardens flooded by raw sewage.
?These are properties which have never been affected by flooding before,? he said.
Coun Linda Dirir said four years ago the council was told United Utilities were responsible for drainage.
?We should be holding United Utilities responsible,? she said.
Computer system to help
end town’s traffic chaos
by David Skentelbery
A HI-tech computer system able to simulate likely traffic congestion in Warrington is being considered by transport chiefs as part of the drive to beat ?traffic thrombosis?
The town already has a system which covers a relatively small area of the town centre.
But a more advanced multi modal model, covering most of the built up area of the borough is urgently needed.
This has emerged following the ?Congestion Summit? organised by the borough council and attended by representatives of more than 50 groups, firms and individuals with an interest in transport.
The conference voted massively in favour of finding alternatives to the private car rather than major road schemes or road charging.
But there was also enthusiasm for setting up a computer system to enable the council to simulate congestion levels and test possible solutions.
Coun Brian Axcell, the council’s executive member for environment services, said: “Our aim was to bring key players together to put congestion at the top of the agenda and to facilitate debates about possible solutions. It was a very productive summit and we now have a base from which we can develop ideas.
“There was little support for road building or road charging and a significant majority in favour of improving alternatives to the private car.
“We certainly need a multi modal model computer system to cover the town which could provide evidence of our traffic problems which would be invaluable when we are putting in bids for grants from the government.”
Coun Axcell said such a system would be able to simulate the likely impact on traffic in Warrington of, say, increase shipping on the Manchester Ship Canal, or road works or accidents on one of the motorways.
?At present, when we are making bids for government funding we don?t have the evidence to back up our bids ? but such a system would help us.?
Town Hall chiefs will now study the suggestions put forward at the summit to see if they could prove useful in ending traffic chaos in the borough.
?50,000 grant leaves
vicar flushed with success
by John Hendon
A VICAR who helped raise funds for a church extension with a sponsored “toilet sit” has been rewarded with a ?51,020 grant.
The money has been awarded to St Cross Church, Appleton Thorn near Warrington by landfill tax environment fund Biffaward.
Work will start soon on the extension, which is to be named The Blackcap Room, in memory of HMS Blackcap, the village’s Royal Naval Air Station. It will comprise a meeting room for the local community, a kitchen and a toilet.
Previously the church did not even have a water supply.
More than ?5,000 was raised by the congregation – partly through sponsorship of the vicar, the Rev Elaine Chegwin Hall and her curate, the Rev Kath Williamson, who sat all day on two toilets outside the church to raise more than ?2,000.
The Rev Chegwin Hall said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to realise our vision of regenerating St Cross for use by the local community.
“The fund-raising committee was given two new toilets for the extension, but seeing as it hasn’t been built yet we decided to use them to raise awareness and funds.”
Martin Bettington, chairman of Biffaward said: “We are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile application, bringing long term benefits to the village and surrounding areas.”
Curtain to rise on
super new arts centre
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE curtain will rise on a new state-of-the-art creative and performing arts centre at Warrington Collegiate today (Thursday).
Four years after the first foundations were laid, the Hilary Tucker Arts Centre – part of the collegiate’s ?27 million new campus – officially opens. Events begin at 6pm when former principal Hilary Tucker unveils a ceremonial plaque.
The centre has a 150-seat theatre, graphic design studios, dance facilities and a visual arts and music technology suite. The three-storey centre is the new home of the Creative and Performing arts faculty.
Margaret Ford, head of creative and performing arts, said: “This is a fabulous facility for the students and a wonderful showcase for the whole of Warrington.
“It is a fantastic space for the students to work in and we’re going to see some wonderful work produced as a result.” Principal Paul Hafren said: “Hilary was involved with the creation of the new campus from the outset and her vision of where Warrington Collegiate should be is what we now see coming into fruition.
“This superb newly built facility encompasses teaching accommodation for art, design, fashion, film, media, music, dance, drama, textiles and vocal artists.”
During the evening there will be a tour of the students’ art exhibition, fashion show, dance showcase, an extract from Moulin Rouge and performances by vocal artist students.
Tomorrow (Friday) and on Saturday students will perform Moulin Rouge – the first full production to be staged in the new centre.
Police hunt men who
stole bird’s eggs
by John Hendon
POLICE are hunting two men believed to have stolen eggs from a wild bird?s nest at Warrington.
The eggs are said to be worth up to ?500 to collectors.
Two men ? both in their late 20s or early 30s ? were seen to take eggs from a nest off Cromwell Avenue, Great Sankey.
Local people say they were sparrowhawk?s eggs.
The men were driving a blue pick-up truck.
A police spokesman said: ?It is thought the men will try to sell the eggs to collecto
rs ? and that they could be worth up to ?500.
Anyone who saw the men in the Cromwell Avenue area, or who believes they know who they are, is asked to call PC Ian Morris on 0845 458 6379.
Young people rewarded
for their achievements
by Lesley Wilkinson
YOUNG people who have taken part in a variety of projects at Warrington Youth Club received certificates and awards for their achievements.
Their progress in areas such as personal development, volunteering and active citizenship were marked at the ceremony at the Peace Centre, Warrington. And 11 young people celebrated their success in gaining Youth Achievement Awards, a formal qualification recognising their youth work participation.
Catherine Holligan, senior manager of the youth club said: “Over the past year, around 300 young people have taken part in our range of projects, from attending our drop-in service to completing a developmental programme like Girls’ Group or Loud and Clear.
“We wanted to recognise some of their achievements in developing as young people, and say a massive thank you to the young people and adults that help make the club work as volunteers and staff. We’re really pleased that so many people came along to the centre – it was a brilliant night!”
The youth club is based at the Peace Centre and provides a range of opportunities for young people aged eight and upwards. More information on projects is available by ringing Janis on 01925 581227 or e-mail [email protected]
Sex perverts
strike in park
by staff reporter
SEX perverts struck twice within the space of a few hours in a Warrington park.
Police have issued a warning following the incidents in Woolston Linear Park ? and also an appeal for help from the public in tracking down the offenders.
The first incident involved a group of four girls walking in the park during their school lunch hour. A man sitting in the grass exposed himself to them.
He is described as in his late 30s, about 5ft 6 inches tall and wearing a black jumper, blue jeans and black trainers. He had short dark brown hair and was of scruffy appearance.
About three hours later, a man exposed himself to a woman in the same park. She ran off and called police.
The man was said to be of stocky build, wearing glasses and had a pock marked face and gray hair. He was wearing black shoes, jeans and a blue polo top.
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call PC Stacey Wallwork on 0845 458 0000.
Involving the public
in council work
by Lesley Wilkinson
WAYS of continuing to involve the public in Warrington Borough Council’s future work will be discussed by the authority?s executive board on Monday (July 9).
The board will discuss the council’s strategic planning approach and timescales for 2008/09.
Members report that progress has been made during the past few years on how the council delivers its services, allocates funds and redirects resources to its priorities. They say that public participation has been increased and this will continue.
It is proposed that further and more localised consultation with the public will take place, following the Which Way Warrington event in November last year.
The board say that residents will be given a menu of choices about service frequency, quality and quantity rather than being asked their opinion on a pre-prepared plan.
A spokesman said: “To capitalise on the recent progress made, it is also proposed that the council starts its planning processes earlier and focuses on what it needs to achieve.”
