Anger over unused playing field

ANGER flared at a council meeting over a sports field which has stood idle for years – while local youth teams are desperate for somewhere to play.
Members of the public attending a meeting of Appleton Parish Council criticised both Warrington Borough Council and Warrington Rugby Union Club over an ongoing dispute about the use of the club’s former ground in Bridge Lane, Appleton.
The club has moved to Warrington Sports Club at Walton Lea – leaving the Bridge Lane ground unused. But it still requires an additional pitch and hopes to persuade the borough council to allow it to use land within adjoining Walton Park.
But the council says the land is essential for planned expansion of the park and the club will not relinquish its lease in Bridge Lane until they have alternative land.
Angry members of the public demanded to know what was being done to resolve the problem.
A local resident who runs a youth soccer team looking for a home ground accused the rugby club of “trying to blackmail the council.”
Another described the club’s attitude as “despicable.”
But others blamed the borough council.
One person said the club was, understandably, using the Bridge Lane ground as a “lever.”
Warrington’s new Mayor, Coun Brian Axcell – who is a member of Appleton Parish Council – said he would take the matter up with the borough’s property services department to see if some compromise could be reached.