IN the space of a week, two different journeys summed up the trials and tribulations of being a modern-day Warringtonian.

And the first was a well-trodden path, given a fresh twist, as Podium wound its way from Paddington to town, via the new River Mersey flood defences pathway through Howley.

Blessed by an early autumn sun, the stroll past Warrington Rowing Club crews in training, anglers dotted along the bank up to Kingsway Bridge, was a pastoral delight.

One leisurely swim at DW Sports later and it was time to meander back through Fairfield, the old stomping ground.

This was when I learned of the fledgling Church Street Regeneration Project, an initiative being championed by the Fairfield and Howley Action Forum.

In the past 20, 30 or even 40 years this historic route has seen huge changes, from the realignment of the A57 to the disappearance of Rylands’ main factory and the arrival of Sainsbury’s, to name but a few.

Recently this phenomenon has been played out in miniature, as another unaffordable block of housing has risen on the old home of Lockers.

For many the Brown Owl/The World is but a distant memory and the Marquis of Granby has seen better days, with The Tavern now in the ascendancy.

Yet the thought of revitalising the interests of one of the town’s longest-serving thoroughfares is a tantalising one and there was a walkabout with WBC planned for this week, to progress the project.

Early discussions have focused on a lack of parking and over-abundance of signage – to which this column would like to add Quadrant House.

Surely something concrete should be forthcoming for this imposing edifice, our last link to the Rylands empire, which sits at the gateway to Church Street?

Elsewhere the same saunter gave a timely reminder of the Fairfield Fringe Festival, where the old neighbourhood takes on a bohemian tinge for the month.

Festivities kick off with a showcase evening and volunteers’ evening celebration at the old Fairfield School this Saturday from 7.30pm, closely followed by a singers’ night at the Bulls Head the next night.

Other highlights include a Dig With Dave special on St Elphin’s Park on Sunday, October 9, from noon, and ukulele lessons for beginners at the Ring O’Bells, on various dates.

Free or low-cost music, arts and crafts activities will basically be shared across the school, park and pubs through October. Great stuff.

But as LaMarcus Adna Thompson, inventor of the modern rollercoaster, might have said, there’s always got to be a downside.

One of the rare occasions I acquire four wheels is typically a source of unbridled joy. This cross-town expedition had already started unusually, with a sighting of legendary gym owner Walter O’Malley, in his trademark jeep, on Battersby Lane.

But it was only when I reached Bridge Foot that an inkling of what was to come emerged. After the rush-hour, Barring motorway mishaps, traffic usually quietens down after 7.30pm.

What your correspondent hadn’t recalled, heading to a friend’s in Latchford, was that one of the most bizarre road resurfacing schemes in living memory was under way along Knutsford Road.

Unprepared for finding all but one entrance to the estate blocked off, I detoured down Wash Lane, Loushers Lane and Wilderspool Causeway followed.

Ten minutes later, the layout had changed and Knutsford Road was one-way. Fortunately the turn-off for Carol Street registered in time and I breached the barricades.

All this for one resurfacing stretch? Slight overkill for a simple job?

Then again this is the same highways department which can put pelican crossings for pedestrians on the A57 legs of Kingsway lights – but not the A50 running at right angles.