When will the bridges be painted?

Local Liberal Democrats want to know when the swing bridges over the Ship Canal are going to be painted.

At the Warrington Council meeting in June, an announcement was made by the Leader that Peel had finally agreed to paint the bridges after intense lobbying by councillors, the MP and residents. This was welcomed but no date was given for completion of the work.



Cllr Ian Marks, Chairman of Warrington Liberal Democrats says, "Last year we presented a 1700 name petition to Peel and wrote letters to senior executives asking for the bridges to be painted but we never received any responses. In March we gained unanimous support from Councillors for a motion we put forward asking for the Council's Leader and Chief Executive to write requesting the bridges be paint



ed. The bridges give a very poor impression of the town because of their dilapidated state. Peel has ambitious plans for developments in Warrington and we were keen that they work with the Council for the mutual benefit of the town and the company.

We were delighted to hear that they had agreed to paint them but subsequent announcements in the press give us concern about when this will be done. Other work is planned beforehand and no confirmation has been given about when the painting will start. Priority is being given to this other work, like refurbishing the Warburton Toll Bridge which is needed too, but we are worried this will delay the painting for years.

Cllr Peter Walker from Stockton Heath has asked the Council Leader and Chief Executive to write again to Peel pressing them to give us some time-scales. Residents deserve toknow."