PEEL Ports will finally repaint the town's three 'dilapidated' swing bridges – at an estimated cost of £1.5 million.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill confirmed the news in his announcements at Monday's full council meeting at the Town Hall.

It comes after he wrote to John Whittaker, Peel Group chairman, in March.

The town's three swing bridges, which cross the Manchester Ship Canal, are situated on Chester Road, London Road and Knutsford Road.

Peel has previously confirmed it would cost around £500,000 to repaint each bridge.

But in January the port operator admitted it had 'no plans' to carry out work on any of them – despite repeated calls for action.

Cllr O'Neill (LAB – Burtonwood and Winwick) said senior council officers held a meeting with the firm over the repainting of each of the structures.

He added: "Peel has committed to a programme in the next three years.

"The programme will require careful project management to avoid traffic disruption."

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Bob Barr hopes the news 'marks the beginning of a new era in the relationship between Peel and the people of Warrington'.

He said: "At the March council meeting we put forward a motion asking for a letter to be sent and this was approved by all councillors.

"The motion pointed out that Warrington had strong ambitions to project itself nationally and internationally but the dilapidated state of the three bridges let the town down badly.

"The bridges were an eyesore and detracted from our bid to become the City of Culture.

"In April last year, we handed over a petition with over 1,700 signatures calling on Peel to repaint the swing bridges and live up to the claim in its social responsibility statement of having a 'duty of care to the population as a whole'.

"Despite several reminders we had absolutely no response from them.

"This shows little respect for both residents and visitors.

"Peel is a very substantial land owner in the town, in addition to their ownership of the ship canal.

"There are substantial shared interests between the company and the town.

"However, these will only work to mutual benefit if the company considers its responsibilities to the town as much as its obligations to its shareholders."

Peel has been asked when work is due to commence but is yet to respond.

In January, the company said it would cost around £500,000 to repaint each bridge due to 'the practicalities of repainting the structure, which involves maintaining the ability to open and close the bridge for shipping, as well as traffic management measures to ease disruption'.