War memorial fight isn't over (From Warrington Guardian)

War memorial fight isn't over

CAMPAIGNERS fighting the relocation of Crewe's War Memorial have vowed to fight on despite leaders voting to progress with the move.

Members of the Memorial Action Team (MAT) and the borough's Conservative group wanted the borough council to rethink its plan to move the memorial to Municipal Square.

They argued the consultation process was flawed and called for the council's 'News and Views' newspaper to offer residents the chance to vote on what they wanted.

Local Tory leader Brian Silvester also asked for the council's 56 members to vote on the issue instead of just the Board's seven.

But the two motions were rejected, with 23 to 31 against a vote in 'News and Views', and 25 to 29 deciding against a Full council vote.

It means the next stage of the £3million town centre upgrade will now begin and passed to the council's planning department for approval.

Cllr Silvester said: "We are very disappointed with the attitude of the council - over 10,000 people have signed a petition yet that has not been taken into consideration.

"There is still a long way to go because the scheme has to get planning permission and the budget still has to be settled - of the £3million it is costing, the council is still £750,000 short."

Council Leader Peter Kent said: "The council's Board could have ploughed ahead on the basis of the existing decision by council but in view of the controversy, I said at the outset of the debate that we would respect the views of the council as a whole.

"All 56 members have now made a clear decision, and I am delighted at the outcome.

"I promise that when the work is complete the town will have a War Memorial which is a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in conflict."