IT was Mahatma Gandhi who said: “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”

And it would appear the fact that we are all living longer means we, as a society, now have many more elderly and vulnerable people to look after.

The problem isn’t going away and that is placing an almost intolerable strain on the system.

You would hope that our nearest and dearest would be treated with dignity and respect as they become increasingly vulnerable.

Obviously this isn’t an issue exclusive to Warrington but it seems we have more than our fair share of trouble.

It’s so very upsetting to read headlines in the Guardian such as:

  •  Investigations ongoing into ‘failing’ Heathercroft Care Home after pensioner dies in fire
  • Heath Lodge Care Home placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission
  • Whistleblower calls for mental health hospital to be shut down Something, somewhere, is going badly wrong with the whole system. I don’t pretend to have the answer and I’m not about to point the finger of blame but it shames us all as a society when this sort of thing is going on.
  •  I hate to sound like a stuck record but a letter in last week’s Guardian has prompted me to revisit a subject I have touched on before – the disappearing lane markings on the ‘Pink Eye’ roundabout at the end of Sankey Way.

I say disappearing but what I really mean is non-existent.

To be honest, I have no idea when the lines were last painted but the fact remains they have completely worn away in places.

Perhaps on a smaller, less busy, roundabout you could get away with it but on a major gateway to the town that involves changing lanes, you can’t.

Frankly, it’s dangerous.

I use that roundabout every day and I can struggle to pick up the correct lane especially when other drivers are unsure about where they need to be.

This sorry state of affairs has been going on for far too long and needs sorting out now, not in a couple of weeks or a couple of months or after a review of traffic flows.

I don’t know how local government finances or budgets work but I would seriously suggest that if the council can find £650,000 to do up Palmyra Square, it can find the money to paint a few white lines.

  • In a previous existence I had cause to use the toll bridge at Warburton on a fairly regular basis.

It’s not a pleasant experience at rush hour.

This is the 21st century, not the 1800s. Why is this ridiculous 12p each way toll still in place?

Surely a solution could be found with a little ingenuity and goodwill from the parties involved.

Although having said that, the actions of bridge owner Peel Ports last week when it closed the bridge with little warning and no diversion signs in place does not fill me with confidence that there is any will to fix this problem.

The Warburton Toll Bridge Action Group, which has more than 2,600 members, was created to challenge Peel over traffic disruption. They have my sympathy and moral support. I hope they are successful in their campaign.

  • I notice the new automatic number plate recognition system at Junction Nine Retail Park (the former Alban Retail Park) has been changed.

Drivers can park free for four hours but motorists raised concerns around the new policy which also included a condition that shoppers would not be allowed to return to the retail park within two hours.

Failure to comply with these terms would result in a £100 fine.

But the car park’s operators Smart Parking have now removed the ‘no return’ condition following ‘consultations with stakeholders’.

Happy days.

Now all they have to do is sort out the confusing and chaotic traffic flow as you try to get on and off the retail park at the new Winwick Road entrance.

Who has right of way is anyone’s guess.