Ex-Mayor says “thanks” for car park repairs that took two years

THE busy car park at Padgate Medical Centre has been resurfaced – almost exactly two years after it was reported as being “a total mess.”
But former Mayor of Warrington Geoff Settle – who reported the potholes, lack of marked parking places, etc. in 2017 – is not complaining.
Instead, he has thanked council officers who have kept him in touch on the progress – or lack of it – over the last two years.
The former Poulton North councillor said: “I wish other council departments would keep people informed about issues – even when it isn’t good news.”
Mr Settle was shocked at the rundown condition of the car park when he arrived for an appointment at the medical centre in July 2017.
“The surface was full of potholes, there were no markings forparking spaces and drivers were parking in a haphazard way.
“While I was in the surgery a small collision took place between a car blocking the exit and a car trying to leave. I took some photographs of the potholes and sent them in to the council with an email of complaint requesting urgent action.”
The car park is a very busy place, serving the medical centre and Padgate Community Centre as well as the Scout Hall and pharmacy.
A few days later, the then councillor Settle received a letter of apology from the council’s neighbourhood team, promising speedy short term repairs while a longer-term solution for the whole of the car park was explored.
“A few weeks later the potholes were temporarily filled in, removing the immediate danger of people tripping and falling and helping to reduce damage to cars.”
The neighbourhoods team continued to keep him informed, explaining the reasons for delays, etc.
Mr Settle said: “The good news today is that they have done a fantastic job with the car park that the practice manager has described to me as brilliant.
“It’s much easier to park, the one-way system helps the traffic flow, the railway cottages have their own clearly defined residential green parking spots and there are some hashed areas to improve safety.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the process, from those who also raised concerns to council employees who worked hard to argue for additional funding and partners who made contributions.”