Aftermath of Bridge Street closure

12:50pm Monday 6th October 2008

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UP to 600 vehicles now vie for space along a town centre street since the weekend night-time closure of lower Bridge Street, according to taxi drivers.

That is making conditions much more dangerous for drivers and pedestrians too.

Hackney cab drivers want councillors to reverse their decision to close the street to all traffic at the weekend as the number of cars on Academy Way is causing a hazard.

Steve Harper, chairman of Warrington Taxi Drivers’ Association, said: “If they are not going to re-open Bridge Street they should close all of Academy Way. Before too long someone’s going to get seriously hurt.”

Reports have said that some late night revellers have already been clipped by vehicles on Academy Way.

Warrington Borough Council traffic board voted for the closure, which features as part of its 10-point plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

But Cheshire Police say that it is too early to tell if the measure has seen a drop in such incidents.

Inspector Richard Reeves said: “We are finding that the crowds are a lot less dense as they come out of licensed premises as they have more room to move.

“We are meeting regularly with representatives from various agencies involved in the closure to discuss any issues. It is still early days.”