IT was confirmed yesterday, Wednesday that the town centre of Warrington is the 'ideal location' for a new hospital.

The town's newly-elected MPs Andy Carter and Charlotte Nichols met with leader of Warrington Borough Council, cllr Russ Bowden to develop a shared approach for the prioritisation of a new hospital for Warrington.

It is understood that the Cockhedge Centre is one of the favoured sites.

READ: Town centre agreed as ideal location for new hospital site

Residents were keen to air their views on the announcement which has received a mixed response.

Kay Livingstone: "Instead of the 800 homes to be built by the Centre Park Link Road, scrap that and build a hospital there, it's central and easy for residents to access."

Colm Griffith said: "Ambulances and all other traffic constantly struggle to get through town centre at the best of times.

"Cockhedge one of the main squeeze points. Obviously no real answer to the issue of siting it north or south of river as road links are equally as poor.

"Sort the infrastructure out first if you want to future-proof Warrington. Or just keep on building houses and apartments. Up to you."

Ste Gordon added: "Makes sense Cockhedge is hardly a full prominent shopping centre.

"Their units could easily go elsewhere.

"Clear that land, New Town House, a couple of buildings nearby and you’ve got a good opportunity. Keeping the hospital central is something they need to do."

Chris James was among a number of people who suggested Omega would be a better option.

He said: "The hospital should be on somewhere like Omega North.

"It is out of town so reduces traffic and congestion.

"It is also straight off the motorway making access easier for the emergency services, patients and visitors."

Clare Fearnley agreed the hospital should be moved to the centre, she said: "At least people who have to rely on public transport would be able to get there, and to be honest the current site looks a state it needs something doing with."

Sam Jones: "This is fantastic news for everyone in Warrington.

"I waited 18 months for an operation at Halton.

"Car parking is awful too and there's no direct bus there from where we live.

"Great to see that Warrington is finally on the map for some serious much needed upgrades."

Kirstie Marina Evans-Bradshaw said: "We need a walk-in-centre in Warrington, poor that a town this big doesn’t have one when a smaller town like Skelmersdale does and has one only up the road at Ormskirk too.

"Would cut the amount of people going A&E over none emergency medical problems."