HALTON Council is attempting to mislead the people of Widnes with its selective description of the plans for a massive freight development in Ditton and Halebank.
The jobs and the regeneration of brownfield land will be welcomed by everybody, but this can happen without the proposed mega development.
The Ditton freight terminal will result in the loss of much of Widnes' remaining green belt and destroy internationally protected wildlife habitats at Lovel Fields.
Halton Council has ignored conditions and safeguards imposed by a Government planning inspector, ridden roughshod over European environmental directives and intends to plough up this important ecological site without lawful planning permission.
At least 80-90 per cent of the promised jobs will not go to local people and the development could actually destroy 200 existing local jobs on the Golden Triangle.
It will result in 6,000 HGVs using roads in Widnes every day.
This supposedly commercial development is being paid for by Halton Council taxpayers. It is your money funding the purchase of land, the cost of consultants, landscaping, infrastructure and marketing and could run into several million pounds.
Little wonder the council cannot afford to run the Halton Show and is withdrawing funding for meals on wheels for pensioners and disabled people.
John Shannon,
Friends of Halebank,
Hale Gate Road,
Widnes
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article