About a month ago, Warrington residents were made aware of major road changes in the Orford and Westy/Latchford area via road signs and press releases. The council stated these were part of a Central 6 Regeneration Masterplan for Warrington. This was originally based on levelling up opportunities in 6 wards in Warrington that do not have parish councillors. 

The majority of residents in Warrington had very little knowledge of the regeneration masterplan nor the public consultation that was carried out in regards to the street plan. Information surrounding the whole thing was less than transparent. So when we looked up the public consultation and found out what had really gone on, we were shocked:- 

-Only 2500 people were consulted across two areas that contain 13,000 people. 

-2000 of them were consulted using a public consulting firm who asked them what they think would improve their community (they said things like less traffic problems, cleaner streets ect). From this Warrington borough council devised a street plan. 

-A year later, they let a lucky 500 people have their say on said street plan where the council carried out the consultation themselves. 

We as residents have had major concerns about the plans because they block off access to main through roads, which helps residents avoid traffic in a town that gets gridlocked every time there are major motorway issues. We have the M6, M56 and M60 and M62 all within a stone throw from Warrington. We also think these plans will increase pollution, block access to emergency vehicles and carers plus make everyone's life more difficult without no justifiable reason.  

We have held two peaceful protest. The first of which the leader of the council accepted our petition and a few days later delayed the plans for the Orford area. We were delighted with this progress and thought that meant the council might be willing to engage further. 

However, since then they have pushed through the plans in the Latchford/Westy area, despite having an opportunity to vote to pause it, which has led to an increase in anti-social behaviour and more traffic. They have all but ignored our attempts to engage and instead paid us lip service about what they hope to achieve via some copy and paste e-mails from local councillors. 

The final straw came when the local press revealed in a news article that Warrington Borough council knew back in March 2022 that there were issues with mass engagement, particularly from those without access to digital technology. Despite this they have been telling us for months they think their consultation was adequate and will take on board feedback. This is all while doing absolutely nothing to act on feedback received so far and no transparency about how they will use the feedback or even monitor how the plans are working. 

Therefore we have launched a public vote of no confidence in the controlling council and their leadership in regard to their process over the Central 6 Street plan. We do not think it is too much to ask our council for transparency, good communication and democracy. On these alone, we feel the council have failed in their duty to the residents. 

PLEASE ONLY SIGN THIS PETITION ONCE AS DOUBLE SIGNATURES WILL BE REMOVED!