Freight or motorists?

IN THE space of three years, container traffic on the Manchester Ship Canal has risen from around 3,000 to nearly 15,000 sailings—resulting in an exceptional decrease in the number of lorry journeys.

Something surely to be praised, but not so Warrington Council, who want the freight to be reduced so that the swing bridge in the town centre is not opened so often, interrupting motorists. Alan Tilbury tells us.

Reduce number

The council has approached Peel Ports (owners of the Manchester Ship Canal Company) to reduce the number of times the swing bridge is opened to allow freight vessels to pass.

Such has been the success of the Manchester Ship Canal in being used for what it was built for, that an extra crane has had to be added at Irlam Container Terminal, upstream from Warrington.

Refused

The council wants the company to hold the barges in port so they do not reach the bridge at peak times for motorists, but Peel Ports have refused, as it has already implemented a number of the council's measures including increasing the number of night and off-peak sailings.