What's changed about Parkside?

A short time ago, the Labour Government called a public enquiry of the proposed development of the Parkside site by Morrison's Supermarket, who were applying at that time to build a Distribution Centre. The ruling went against Morrison's, because of the unsuitability of such a large development. So what's changed? Why should this much larger development be given consideration is a mystery to all who care about the area?

The land has not increased in size. The Government and St Helens Council have not changed leadership. So why should local residents, and anyone who objected to Morrison's Development, be expected to fund yet another campaign to oppose Railtrack?

We will, no doubt, be paying for this project in the Government handouts to the ailing Railtrack Company, and lets face it, Railtrack's record on safety is worrying to say the least. The planned development for a huge freight terminal, is as detrimental to the area, (if not more so) than Morrison's. This will create jobs, but who knows how many will be for local people, and at what cost? Surely companies encouraged to use this facility would have their own workforce already, and will simply be moving them from one area to another.

The traffic implications do not bear thinking about! Railtrack advise that the HGVs are to use a designated road from junction 22 on the M6. How can they ensure that is implemented, and is there not enough traffic congestion on this stretch of motorway?

We know what will happen when there is an incident on the motorway network (which happens on a regular basis) - the traffic will by-pass through Newton High Street which has just introduced the new traffic calming restrictions to make the area safer, and the Winwick bottleneck. There will be a huge increase in local traffic to the site, via these routes also.

There are the questions on health and pollution via air and lighting (the area has a significantly high number of breathing related conditions), there's noise, wildlife issues and general effects this development will have, on everything in the vicinity?

Local residents are not opposed to a sympathetic development taking place within the footprints of the old colliery site. The majority of this Railtrack development would be swallowing up valuable Green Belt land, not derelict brown belt land as the quotes from our local councillors would have us believe. If people feel strongly about these issues, they should make their opinions known in writing to the local council planning departments, MPs and the newspapers, otherwise it will be too late!

The plans are on view in Winwick Leisure Centre, Warrington Council and St Helens Council buildings.

To date we have not been advised if they will be available to view in Newton Library or Earlestown Town Hall, but perhaps they should be.

A concerned resident of the area, Winwick Road, Newton-le-Willows