New jobs bring town to heart of the county (From Warrington Guardian)

New jobs bring town to heart of the county

WINSFORD has been described as the 'heart of Cheshire' after 30 more Cheshire County Council jobs were relocated to the town.

The number of county council jobs in Winsford now stands at 1,600 after the rights of way and countryside management departments set up their headquarters at Phoenix House.

Winsford councillors see the relocation as a boost to the town's economy.

Tony Hooton, Cheshire County and Winsford town councillor, said: "Winsford is at the heart of Cheshire geographically and the county council's decision to switch more jobs to Winsford is further evidence of the town's strategic importance to Cheshire.

"It means that we now boast almost a complete microcosm of Cheshire's largest employer.

"Education, highways and social services, libraries, opportunities for business and the youth service are all represented.

"Add to this the fire brigade, which the county council was instrumental in bringing here, and police headquarters and we are looking at a major renaissance in the town's fortunes.

"Long may it continue."

Barrie Hardern, chairman of Cheshire County Council and chairman of the rights of way committee, said: "Winsford provides an ideal centralised location for services which cover the whole of the county in addition to those already established to serve the Vale Royal district.

"Staff in both departments do a wonderful job in both preserving and protecting Cheshire's much prized rural environment."

The rights of way and countryside management departments played a major role in the fight against the foot and mouth epidemic by closing country parks and around 2,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways across the county.