Warrington Road Residents Association claim changes to the Central Expressway would be a “catastrophic decision”

Jun 11 2009 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Warrington Road Residents Association claim changes to the Central Expressway would be a “catastrophic decision”

OBJECTORS who oppose the Central Expressway changes as part of the Mersey Gateway Project staged a protest last week.

Members of the Warrington Road Residents’ Association waved banners outside the public inquiry into the £431m scheme.

Inside, spokesman Martin Ramsden said allowing the proposed road changes would be a ‘catastrophic decision’.

In his opening speech to the planning inspector, he said: “Do you want your town split in two?

“Do you want to be choked by the pollution of 80,000-plus vehicles travelling through the geographical centre of your town?”

Mr Ramsden outlined the concerns of some of the 15,000 residents who, he said, were directly affected by the new bridge.

The main concern of residents living on Warrington Road, which faces the existing Central Expressway, is an increase in traffic using the road on route to the new bridge.

Speaking before the inquiry, Mr Ramsden added: “We are realists and support a new bridge in the area but we object to the route being proposed.

“It’s making a motorway right in the centre of our town where our children grow up.”

He added: “An alternative route is available.

“We have studied the Astmoor to Daresbury A558, and we want a bypass, an orbital route around our town.”