Helen Jones

Campaigns and Surveys

Helen Jones MP welcomes Minister Bill Rammell to Warrington North, to discuss the new "University Challenge" document with local Councillor Colin Froggatt (right) and Birchwood Town Councillor Russ Bowden (left)

Campaigns Index:

Bruche Police Training Centre
Veterans' Badges
Safer, Cleaner Streets
Padgate Policing
Paddington Meadows
Traffic Survey at Winwick Park

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Bruche Police Training Centre

Helen Jones MP writes: "I know many local residents are keen to know the current situation with the former Bruche Police Training Centre site."

"Development on the site has been held up because of the current economic downturn. Yet we still have families in need of homes in the area and a development would create jobs for people in the building trade."

"I met the Homes and Communities Agency about this and had discussions with Iain Wright, who used to be the Housing Minister, who has taken a particular interest in Bruche after visiting the area."

"The Homes and Communities Agency are now proposing a joint venture with Warrington Borough Council to develop part of this site. They will then provide funding to deliver new homes. The Housing Growth Point money allocated by the government to the Mid-Mersey partnership will pay for the planning application fee."

"The current proposal is to build around 300 homes, at least 50% of which should be affordable homes."

"Clearly, there is a lot of work which still needs to be done on involving local people in the planning process and making sure that the local community benefits from any development."

"I am also seeking assurances that the affordable housing will be allocated to local people and that strict criteria are put in place to make sure that any affordable homes for sale are not purchased by people who then rent them out to make a profit. We must be sure that they go to local families who want to get a foot on the housing ladder."

"I will continue to monitor the situation and press for as much local involvement as possible as the site is developed. As soon as I have more information I will let you know, and will do everything I can to keep you informed."

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Veterans' Badges

Helen was delighted to present the new Veterans’ Badge to many ex-servicemen around town. Anyone who served in the Armed Forces up until 1954 can qualify. Please contact Helen’s office for further details.

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Safer, Cleaner Streets

I would also be interested to hear of any "hotspots" across the constituency where litter, graffiti or abandoned cars are a problem. If you know of any areas like this near to you, please get in touch with me and let me know.

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Padgate Policing

In response to the anti-social behaviour questionnaire which I distributed, local residents in Padgate raised a number of concerns. I received a large number of responses and the comments residents made have been passed on to Warrington Police. I am informed that:

• the Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) is patrolling the 'hotspots' within the Padgate area on a regular basis.

• in recent weeks the NPU has targeted specific areas in an effort to reduce the number of anti-social behaviour incidents;

• work is ongoing with the public houses and off-licences in the area to prevent the consumption of alcohol by the under aged which often fuels the anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. One initiative involves the introduction of Perspex crates at an off-licence which has suffered thefts of lager by young people. Since January the store has seen an 80% reduction in thefts compared to the same period last year;

• the NPU has a 3-stage letters to parents scheme for those under 18 who are stopped in respect of anti-social behaviour. This is proving to be successful involving, as it does, other agencies. A number of parents have contacted the NPU to express their thanks for the positive stance being taken.

There is clearly much more to be done but the neighbourhood policing strategy has had a positive effect. I have asked to be kept informed on progress and will receive quarterly updates on the situation from the police. The police are taking into account the concerns and views of local residents and will take on board your specific comments.

I would encourage people to attend the Police Community Action Meetings so that they can put their concerns directly to the police and discuss the problems they are experiencing in more detail, as well as being able to ask questions about overall police strategy for the area.

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Paddington Meadows

Helen is pictured above at Paddington Meadows. She has promoted discussions with the police, the council, conservation groups and Peel Holdings so action is taken to tackle the problems of vandalism, litter and neglect at the nature site.

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Traffic Survey at Winwick Park

As promised Helen Jones secured a meeting between herself, the borough council, the police and residents of Winwick Park to discuss concerns about the traffic management at the roundabout on the A49 and at the entrance to the estate. It was agreed that:

• the police will actively monitor the site and crack down on speeding and on motorists who jump the lights;
• and the borough council will conduct a thorough safety audit.

Helen will be pursuing with the council the possibility of securing more safety barriers on the route to Winwick Primary School. Money for this should be available from the government’s safe routes to school initiative.

A large number of survey forms were returned and all the comments made have been passed on to the police and the council. The main concerns expressed were:

• vehicles shooting the lights;
• the close proximity of the pelican crossing to the traffic control lights;
• the fact that the lights are often out of sync;
• difficulties in seeing the lights because of the sun shining directly into them;
• the lack of safety barriers at the road side on what is a school route.

Suggestions included:

• installing traffic cameras;
• installing more barrier protection at the roadside;
• employing a lollipop person;
• moving the pelican crossing closer to the Swan Public House;
• adjusting the timing on the lights to ease traffic flow;
• improving the sequencing of the lights;
• installing traffic humps to slow the traffic down.

These issues were discussed at the site meeting and a number of actions were agreed.

The Police will actively monitor the area and have promised to crack down on speeding traffic and on those who jump the lights.

The Borough Council representative agreed to instigate a thorough safety audit. This will take a couple of months to complete but should provide all the data needed to identify where the problems are and what can be done to rectify them.

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