PENKETH and Cuerdley could be calling Widnes and Runcorn home, if electoral boundary changes are approved.

Residents and politicians have been shocked to find plans by the Boundary Commission for England, which is drawing up new constituency maps, will put the Warrington ward firmly in the Widnes and Runcorn seat.

Clr Linda Dirir (LAB – Penketh and Cuerdley) said: “My initial reaction is one of absolute surprise.

“We will always remain part of Warrington, with Warrington schools and services.

“People who go into vote will be voting on a Warrington Borough Council election and a completely different constituency for national elections. I’m astonished.”

The plans to change constituencies were unveiled on Tuesday to widespread surprise as a number of wards move from Warrington North to Warrington South.

The Warrington South constituency will also pick up Halton wards Daresbury and Norton North and Norton South as well as Poulton South and Fairfield and Howley. Warrington North MP Helen Jones criticised the changes.

She said: “This recommendation is bad news for Warrington. I believe that MPs work best when they represent specific communities.

“I do not see how an MP representing Widnes and part of Warrington can equally serve the communities. In the same way, taking on a bit of Halton in Warrington South makes no sense.

“Warrington is big enough for two constituencies. The Lib Dems and Tories who voted for this need to explain why they are supporting the break up of the town.”

Meanwhile Warrington South MP David Mowat said his constituency would be changing by 40 per cent under the plans.

He added: “It seems bizarre that Penketh and Cuerdley moves to Widnes while large parts of Runcorn come into Warrington South.

“When the plans were announced politicians expected the changes to see wards swap between south and north to make them equal.

“Had they decided to do that, which is what we thought they were going to do, we would keep Warrington whole. What they have chosen is not to keep Warrington whole.”

There is now a consultation until December 5 for residents to have their say on the plans.