WARRINGTON is a success story in the north, with a strong post-recession recovery shown by high private sector job creation, strong business start-up and good employment rates, all scoring top 10 places in the previous Centre for Cities report.

There is however a slightly disappointing, but perhaps inevitable result of being an industrial success.

The report indicates that our CO2 emissions are in the worst 10 (per person) in the country.

Anyone who travels into Warrington to work will recognise one major contributor. Traffic congestion.

For example thousands of people work on the Birchwood Park development, home to many high-tech firms including those from the world-leading Nuclear Sector. Peak time travel is unacceptably long to and from there.

It is welcome news therefore that an improvement scheme will seek to improve bus access on Ordnance Avenue/ Faraday Street, the ‘Dog-Bone’ roundabout traffic flow and Moss Gate roundabout traffic signal controls, all currently bottlenecks.

It is exactly this type of initiative which will keep Warrington moving, improve people’s travel experience and importantly, in conjunction with the cycle lane and bus route improvements will help the environment too.

Warrington may be an industrial town, but having a green view needn’t stop that progress.

LAWRENCE Bellamy is associate dean at the University of Chester's Padgate campus and writes a regular column for business.