Astral Submit New Plans (Feb 2008)

Those of you who objected to the original plans should have by now received a letter from St Helens Council readvertising Astral's planning application. Astral have made changes to their master plan and re-submitted supporting documentation including a revised traffic assessment. People have until the 4th April 2008 to make further comments to St Helens and 21st March 2008 for Warrington. PAG are in the process of assessing the amended submission.

Revised Astral Traffic Assessment (TA)

The updated TA from Astral includes more detail than its predecessor. It is now clearer than ever that Astral's proposal will undoubtedly bring unprecedented levels of traffic to our community.

A total of 17 major junction modifications are proposed, including new road layouts, replacement of roundabouts for traffic lights, and of course the relocation of J22 on the M6. Click here to view a summary the proposed junction changes.

Parkside Road will be blocked off at Hermitage Green (barrier controlled) at the location of the new J22. Traffic will be encouraged to use the new link road the south to find a route to Warrington or Birchwood for instance.

The main impact will come from traffic allowed to use the link road to the north (formally Parkside Road) as illustrated below :-

Astral propose to use a camera number recognition system to stop HGVs using this route, but have no legislation to support it. An HGV is classified as any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, and includes vans, low loaders, and split artics. Even with a 7.5 tonne limit imposed on the northern link road, many HGV will be able to use our local roads with impunity. Put this together with the regular site based commute based traffic and the net result will mean queues and grid lock in our community at key times, for example when we are trying to get work, or our kids are trying to get to school. Our roads will never be quiet again either, because the site will run a 24 hour/365 day operation.

The links below provide further observations from the Astral Supplemental Environment Statement (SES) and TA.

Motorway Changes
More to follow soon ...

Astral Submit New Planning Applications for Newton Park Farm

Astral have submitted new planning applications to demolish and relocate the listed buildings at Newton Park Farm. Of course they do not have the owners consent to do this. On the face of it, the applications appear to be nothing more than a facade to put pressure on the owner to sell, as the proposal is already covered by Astral's outline planning application for the site. PAG only support renovation in-situ i.e. PAG objects to relocation on the grounds that moving the listing buildings would denigrate the towns heritage and risk authentic restoration. Please write and object to these planning applications - details below:

St Helens Planning Ref. P/08/0095 & P/08/0096 (St Helens planning address can be found on the How to Object menu item).

Green Belt for Warehouses?

Did you know that the container part of Astral's proposed rail terminal will be built on countryside to the East of the M6 which was never part of the old colliery? Astral's main use for the old colliery site will be for the biggest warehouses ever to be built in the UK. Many existing rail terminals operate with minimal or no warehouses. Why do Astral need such huge warehouses?

Monthly PAG Meetings

If you want to get involved or find out more, we meet the first Wednesday of every month at Winwick Leisure Centre.

Still Not too Late to Object

There is still time to object to the Astral proposal. You can find all the information you need on the menu item 'How to Object' on our home page. We have also included a leaflet you can pass on to your neighbors and friends to remind them! 

Once again, thanks for all your help and support - it really will make a difference