Lymm residents fear truck traffic chaos

Residents of the Lane End community at the top of Cherry Lane in Lymm are protesting against plans by Lymm Truckwash to expand its business onto Green Belt. Planning permission is being sought to increase the area used, add a fuelling facility and to operate 24 hours a day, all week long. Residents have complained about the noise, air pollution and blocked main roads from the current site and are convinced this will be made much worse by the planned expansion.

The Truckwash started operating in 2018 following a controversial planning decision to approve development despite an identical facility operating at Poplar services. The new proposal is to build a truck waiting area on Green Belt land and a fuel bunker to allow greater use of the site. Lorries queuing to enter the site regularly extend back onto the A50 causing a dangerous traffic situation.

The neighbouring Fire Station has complained about HGVs doing three-point turns on its access road. Lymm Truckwash is currently open 7am to 5pm weekdays but the expansion would see it operating 24 hours a day, all week. The nearest house, separated only by a wooden fence, experiences the worst of the noise, fumes and light pollution and has had flooding in their garden on several occasions.

The Inland Border Facility on the Shearings coach site at Appleton Thorn has been approved with an extra 750 HGVs expected to use Junction 20 each day for Brexit customs checks. This will add to local traffic congestion and worsen conditions for Lane End residents especially if the vehicles use the Truckwash.

Cllr Anna Fradgley and I are supporting the residents' campaign. There are major problems with the current Truckwash which need addressing as they impact on the health and lives of families nearby. The new plan to build on Green Belt make this dreadful situation significantly worse. We urge Warrington Borough Council to reject it.

Tim Martland is a Liberal Democrat campaigner and Lymm Parish Councillor