19 predictions for Warrington in 2019

So as 2019 dawned this morning, we thought it would be good to share our predictions for what might happen this year in Warrington.

Some are serious, some less so.

Let us know what you think and what you are hoping for 2019.

1 Western Link will be scrapped

The Government was supposed to decide by last summer what would happen with the planned new bypass from Sankey to Walton.

It would provide most of the cash for project so without its support, the controversial plan won't get off the ground.

And as we are still waiting for an announcement, it seems increasingly unlikely. Maybe the Government has had something else on its mind.

2 Ian Brown and the Stone Roses to be announced as headliner for Neighbourhood Weekend 2020

The festival at Victoria Park was a huge success in 2018 and the line-up for 2019 looks even stronger.

But surely this Warrington event needs a Warrington link?

Here's to Ian Brown and the Stone Roses headlining the 2020 version - or is there space for a 2019 guest spot....?

3 The swing bridges to remain unpainted

Now work was due to start in 2018, it is promised we will hear something in 2019.

But after years of statements we see no reason to believe 2019 will be the year that the town's rusting and shabby swing bridges get a revamp.

But if Peel wants to put its hand in its vast pockets, we would be delighted to be proved wrong.

4 Cineworld to open ahead of schedule with a 270 degree screen

If you go past the cinema, it looks almost ready now!

It is set to open as part of the 2020 wider opening of Time Square.

But surely bosses at Cineworld want to be open for Christmas 2019?

And we think there will be a 270 degree screen X which is the latest craze. Cineworld's equivalent to Imax is already promised

5 Pizza Express to be named as one of the restaurants for Time Square

While we are on Time Square, we are still waiting for a restaurant to be confirmed for the new £139 million development.

Rumours have been rife but Warrington town centre is missing a Pizza Express. There is one in Stockton Heath of course, but none in the town.

Its addition to Time Square would surely be a welcome fit.

6 It will finally be OUR YEAR

Two final defeats in 2018 were a pretty good start to the Warrington Wolves career of coach Steve Price.

So surely with Wigan under new management and Saints best player getting on the first plane back to Australia, Warrington are ready for honours.

Six new signings are in place, Ben Currie is fit again (at least until April) and the Wire have never looked stronger.

Expect at least either a Challenge Cup or Grand Final in the trophy cabinet come October

7 Warrington confirmed as World Cup host

While we are on rugby, expect some good news this month.

Venues are due to be confirmed for the 2021 World Cup soon. After the success of 2013, The Halliwell Jones Stadium would be the obvious choice.

We think a Tonga or New Zealand clash and Tonga to stay in Warrington would be a good bet

8 Great Sankey will finally have a swimming pool again

It has been shut since 2016, it was supposed to reopen in 2017 and again in 2018.

But so far, there has been nothing to report.

Surely after all the delays, it will finally open in 2019?

And even if it doesn't a new private gym with a pool is set to open at Gemini so people in the area can go there

9 The local plan to be published - and it will be deeply unpopular

Another decision that was due to be made in 2018 was the publication of the draft local plan.

In short, the document will dictate where houses and new businesses can be built in the coming decades.

It has already been delayed until March and could be pushed back further.

However, we think it will finally be published, but expect a huge outcry if proposed development on the green belt is included.

10 Travellers will take over Warrington again, talk of a transit site will take place but no site will be suggested

Come the spring and Warrington will have its usual problem of dealing with unauthorised traveller encampments.

A call will be made for a transite site but, almost a decade after first looking at the issue, councillors will again fail to find a site.

With a local election coming in 2020, don't expect councillors to be in a hurry to make any controversial decisions.

11 A mayor might actually last a full year

In case you missed it, Warrington's last two mayors did not make the end of their year.

First, Faisal Rashid was elected as MP.

Rather less gloriously, Cllr Les Morgan was forced to quit last year after one of his Facebook blunders saw him make ill-advised jokes about two Warrington players.

But this year, we are in safe hands with Cllr Karen Mundry, who has been a well-liked and popular first citizen.

12 Warrington to go a week without a traffic jam

We had to put one completely ridiculous one in.

Although this past week of bank holidays and Christmas might be as good as it gets, unless you tried to get on Riverside Retail Park.

In all seriousness, the Centre Park Link, which is expected to be ready next year might help.

Until then, be ready for more jams, and frustration.

13 Sankey Station will in effect shut

The new Warrington West station is due to open this summer.

A few hundreds yards down the track though, it looks less bright for Sankey station.

The council said the opening of the £19 million Chapelford station would not be the end of Sankey.

But when it does open, trains stopping and Sankey will reduce to just four a day. One to Liverpool or Manchester in the morning rush hour and the same in the evening.

It will probably never officially close but, in effect, it will cease to have a purpose.

14 A new theatre could be close in Warrington

It has long been talked about but could 2019 finally be the year?

Cllr Dan Price has spoken of his commitment to a new theatre and plans have been progressing.

Mr Smith's was suggested at one point

Could they be revealed this year?

And will Warrington support them?

It could be a crucial year for the arts and culture with hopes for the development of Warrington Museum and the Pyramid also high.

15 We will be one step closer to a new hospital

There is a long way to go but by the end of 2019 could we have a clearer idea of whether Warrington could get a new hospital.

Throughout this year political and NHS leaders at Warrington have made it clear they want to lobby for a new hospital.

Either based at the current site or a new one - whichever is best.

So with a bit of good fortune, some plans could be revealed this year.

Because the sooner there is a more modern hospital in Warrington, with better parking, the better for everyone

16 Warrington Town to take a step closer to league football

Whisper it quietly but come April, the Yellows could be just two divisions away from league football.

It is a remarkable rise for the side which has enjoyed huge progress in the past decade.

Manager Paul Carden has assembled another strong squad with ambitions for a spot in the National League North should they win promotion this year.

A title and promotion could be coming to Cantilever Park in 2019

17 A new hotel will be booking into the Cultural Quarter

There was much scoffing when the Cultural Quarter was created (and there still is if comedians at the Parr Hall are to be believed.

But a quiet revolution has taken place in recent years with bars and restaurants opening - culminating in the beautiful restoration of the old Treasurey Buildings.

Next we are predicting a small boutique hotel will open in one of the many listed buildings.

With a monthly makers market to enjoy and amenities close by, who wouldn't want a weekend in Warrington?

18 New tenant for Toys R Us building

It is hard to believe it is almost a year since Toys R Us closed.

The popular toy store went into administration at the start of 2018 and the Gemini store closed in March.

It has been empty since but we think 2019 will see a new occupier move in.

Who will it be? Well a gym, Waitrose and car showroom have all been rumoured for the site.

But the smart money would be a discount retailer.

19 Eric Tucker's art to get a permanent home

One of the quiet successes of 2018 was the unveiling of Eric Tucker's art in Padgate.

Thousands of people queued at the home of the Padgate painted, who died earlier in the year, to see that work he spent a lifetime creating.

Although this posthumous collection of his work was his first - he never exhibited his Lowry-style paintings while alive.

So expect 2019 to be the year when Eric's work is put on show at Warrington Museum so a large number of people can see his paintings.