Peel announces measures to minimise traffic congestion (From Warrington Guardian) – warringtonguardian.co.uk

Peel announces measures to minimise traffic congestion

10:30am Tuesday 10th April 2012 in News

WARNING signs and better shipping planning are ideas Peel Ports have to minimise impact on traffic congestion should shipping traffic on the Manchester Ship Canal increase.

The shipping magnate revealed its action plan to six contentious areas of its Mersey Ports master plan after public outcry to its proposals which could see freight being transported by boat on the canal increase fourfold.

Nearly 4,000 people signed petitions calling on the company to address traffic congestion caused by the swing bridges being opened during the day.

Clr Celia Jordan (LD – Stockton Heath) who has been a leading campaigner welcomed the interim report but called on Peel Ports to avoid using the ship canal at peak times.

Clr Jordan said: “We are delighted to see the economy of the north west grow but it must not be to the detriment of Warrington.

“If they are going to increase traffic fourfold the number of openings will go to around six times a day so traffic will never get back to normal.

“As long as it means they will avoid coming through at all costs at peak hours and come through at night, any other option will make no difference.”

Peel also announced it would complete a memorandum of understanding with Warrington Borough Council as well as looking at a new notification system and ways of relaying bridge openings locally.

“We have been talking about a prior warning system for ages,” added Clr Jordan. “About ringing people’s mobiles which is so low key. When I first came to Warrington there were great big electric signs saying the bridge was closed. We should get these back but it needs to be far more sophisticated.”

Warren Marshall, head of planning at Peel Ports, said: “We are fully committed to continuing to work in partnership with both public agencies and organisations and the people who live in the communities where we operate to ensure maximum gain for the north west region from our growth and development strategy – which we believe will be substantial.”