Town centre traffic ban to go ahead

CONTROVERSIAL plans to ban traffic from parts of Warrington town centre at night time during weekends have been given the go-ahead by the council.
From Monday, August 25, Lower Bridge Street, between Academy Way and Friars Gate will become a pedestrian only zone from 9pm to 5am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The borough council made the ruling as part of their 10-point plan to tackle drink related anti-social behaviour.
Taxi ranks on Lower Bridge Street will be re-located to make them safer and easier to use at the end of the night.
Three new hackney carriage ranks will be established outside the market multi-storey on Academy Way, the middle bus lane on Academy Way east bound and outside the Inland Revenue office on Barbauld Street.
It is hoped the move will help to keep people safe in the town by reducing the numbers congregating on the road outside bars and shrinking potential risk of drunken people being hit by cars.
The council’s executive member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, Coun Liz Smith, said: “This is a practical step aimed at making a real difference that people can actually see for themselves and benefit from.
“It is also just one initiative that is part of our wider campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour and we will be continuing to work with our colleagues in the police, health services to bring about changes for the better.”
Around 44 people originally objected to the proposal, including taxi drivers and rank owners.
They questioned the safety of creating the new ranks and said the council should have been targeting club owners who promote cheap drinks instead.