IN 1883 the Grand Junction Railway started to build a new railway from Birmingham to Warrington. The work took four years to complete.

In 1901 work began to construct a transporter bridge over the Mersey from Runcorn to Widnes. The bridge was opened in 1905.

In 1887 work began to construct the Manchester Ship Canal. The first ship sailed up the canal in 1894.

United Utilities started work around five years ago to improve Warrington’s water supply starting at Hill Cliffe and progressing eventually to Ellesmere Road, Stockton Heath.

Around two years ago an attempt was made to put water pipes down an existing tunnel underneath the ship canal resulting in the closure to through traffic wanting to use Ellesmere Road, the resulting diversion’s causing chaos in and around the roads of Stockton Heath.

The knock on effect is loss of trade to local shops and businesses and rat runs through the side streets.

Now because United Utilities have permission to close the road at will with no threat of fines etc, the road remains closed for days on end with no work at all taking place.

On April 7 it closed again for 13 weeks and three days and not a man on site. Despite letters to my MP there is no action to fine this company.

When work does commence they work an eighthour shift and knock off. If it’s dark in the tunnel during the day why can’t they work through the night?

According to United Utilities it is a residential area. It is outside a graveyard.

Any politician seeking election in the forthcoming General Election wanting to make a name for his/ herself should promise to fine all contractors who close a road with no visible work taking place.

PATRICK MULLEE
Stockton Heath

 

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