More action to improve road safety when Winwick car boot sale is on

Hundreds of people visit regular car boot sales held on land off Townfield Lane in Winwick.

But this brings problems regarding parking in the area, with residents having raised issued over safety.

One described the situation as ‘chaotic’, adding: “It is an accident waiting to happen. It is just not acceptable for residents.”

In April, action was proposed by Warrington Borough Council in the form of a Road Traffic Regulation Act notice stating an intention to create a Winwick ‘red route’.

This was a clearway prohibiting vehicles from stopping or remaining at any time on the certain sections of road, including the verges and footways.

It was proposed for the entire lengths of Delph Lane and the A49 Winwick Link Road, as well as the A49 Newton Road from its junction with the M62 at junction nine to south east of its junction with Rectory Lane.

Now, the council has published a new notice to introduce a red route clearway, prohibiting vehicles from stopping or remaining at rest at any time on Delph Lane.

This is from its junction with the A49 Newton Road to its junction with Mill Lane, including verges and footways.

In a statement of reasons, the council said: “The adjacent primary route network and local roads prior to and during the numerous car boot sales throughout the year, held on land accessed from Townfield Lane, present a road safety concern.

“This is as a result of vehicles parked on the already narrow Delph Lane, within the carriageway and within the roundabout, which can prevent access into and out of the DIY superstore and adjacent drive-thru.

“The parked vehicles also result in pedestrians crossing the dual carriageway and emerging between stationary vehicles, as well as significantly reducing the available width of the footways or blocking the entire footway.

“These actions increase the potential for pedestrians to be struck within the carriageway or collisions between vehicles changing lane, sudden braking or entering or leaving the central reservation or grassed verges at unsuitable locations.”

Any representations, both in support or objecting to the proposals, must be in writing and delivered to: Legal Services, East Annexe, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1UH.

They can also be emailed with full contact details to [email protected] by August 8, and all objections must specify the grounds on which they are made.