Member Article

We can swing together - Peel Ports and council reach agreement over bridges

Peel Ports Group has agreed to work with Warrington Borough Council to minimise the impact of swing bridge openings on the town.

Both parties have agreed to draw up a memorandum of understanding within which they will both commit to key actions aimed at reducing the impact of bridge swings.

Senior Warrington Borough Council figures, including the three main party group leaders and Portfolio Holder for Transport agreed with Peel Ports to work in partnership to reduce the number of swings in peak periods.

Peel Ports Group chief operating officer Gary Hodgson said: “In 2014 we anticipate fewer than 100 swings during peak periods and we will do our best to maintain and even reduce this figure in future years.

“The only occasions when the bridges are in use during peak periods will be when we have no practicable alternative.”

Meanwhile the council will continue to work towards an early warning system intended to provide advanced warning of planned shipping movements.

Information will be sent out via social media, and existing electronic signs will be used to warn motorists of a movement and to provide updates when the bridge is actually swinging.

Peel Ports Group agreed to meet the council after mounting public concern over traffic problems caused by the increasing frequency of the swing bridge openings during peak travel times.

Cllr Linda Dirir, executive board member for highways, transportation and climate change, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of today’s meeting and that through our discussions we have found a way to work together for residents.

“Our highest priority was that Peel agreed to reduce the number of vessels passing through Warrington in what we identified as the red traffic period. We are absolutely committed to working together to minimise the disruption caused by this and will be regularly reviewing the number of sailings in this period. Work has already started on an early warning system and this is being given high priority by council officers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .