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SALFORD COUNCILLORS TELL MAYOR ‘NO SURRENDER’ TO PEEL HOLDINGS OVER BARTON LIFTING BRIDGE
 

Star date: 13th December 2017

AS BRIDGE ROW RUMBLES ON, IRLAM RESIDENTS OPEN CONTROVERSIAL BRIDGE THEMSELVES

Local councillors in Irlam and Cadishead have told Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, not to give in to Peel Holdings 'ransom' in the legal row over the opening of the Barton Lifting Bridge. The Salford Star understands that the company has not yet even responded to Salford Council's letter setting out why the bridge is Peel's responsibility.

Meanwhile, fed up of waiting for Peel Holdings and Salford City Council to resolve their legal differences, yesterday campaigners took matters into their own hands and gave the bridge a champagne opening.

Full details here...

Peel Mafia
click image to enlarge

Local councillors in Irlam and Cadishead told Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, not to surrender to Peel Holdings at a meeting yesterday. Salford Council, Trafford Council and Peel are currently embroiled in a legal wrangle over the estimated £150,000 operation and maintenance costs for the Barton Lifting Bridge, with no settlement in sight.

In correspondence with residents, Peel has stated that "The construction of the new A57 road and lifting bridge...has not yet been completed by our contractor Hochtief Buckingham and only when the works are fully complete, including all safety checks, will the completed project be delivered to Peel Land and Property and made available for public use. Peel has always communicated that the road and bridge will be open by the end of the year and the contractor is still working towards this time scale..."

However campaigners have cast doubts on the company's account, as there appears to be no-one on the site trying to 'complete' the work. Meanwhile, the Salford Star understands that Peel has not yet even responded to a letter from Salford Council setting out why the structure of the bridge and its operation are not the Council's responsibility.

This morning, Irlam Councillor, Roger Jones, told the Salford Star "We are determined to hold the line against Peel's ransom demands and local Councillors representing Barton, Irlam, Cadishead and Winton wards have been fully briefed. Our legal case is strong.

"We have asked Peel to open the new road and lifting bridge as soon as possible, but Peel are now arguing that the road and bridge will not be completed by Hochtief and handed over to them until the end of December" he added "The public and motorists have endured a great deal of frustration since the bridge collapsed in April 2016, but I must admit I am very annoyed by the stance taken by Peel - they do not appear to care about public opinion."

Meanwhile, as the row rumbles on, campaigners pressurising Peel to 'Open Our Bridge', took matters into their own hands yesterday, 'officially' opening the bridge...

Alan and Wayne from the Facebook group, Force Peel Holdings To Open Salford Lifting Bridge, cut a ribbon and sprayed champagne at the blocked off entrance to the bridge...

"On behalf of the people of Irlam and Cadishead and the North West...on behalf of everyone who's suffered, I'm going to open this bridge now...Good luck to everybody that crosses it...Power to the people!" (see the full video embedded in the Facebook group).

Campaigners are promising more direct action against Peel Holdings...


See also previous related Salford Star articles...

Trafford Centre Road Blocked By Barton Lifting Bridge Protesters – click here

Salford Council Held to Ransom By Peel Holdings Over Barton Lifting Bridge - click here

Force Peel Holdings to Open Lifting Bridge Says Irlam Councillor - click here

Sale Sharks at Breaking Point Over Traffic Chaos Stadium - click here

Irlam and Cadishead Community Slams Barton Lifting Bridge Chaos as Peel Holdings and Salford Council Wrangle Continues - click here
wrote
at 17:51:13 on 14 December 2017
I did hear, and I cannot reveal the source, that well-known resident of the Quays will be chaining himself to the bridge structure while demanding that it is opened to the public. He will of course urge the parties involved to come to a speedy agreement.
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Bobby wrote
at 05:05:24 on 14 December 2017
No chance of seeing Barbara Keeley or Rebecca Long Bailey until the Bridge is open and then their faces will be all over the press. They are in Hiding at present until all the fuss is over.
?
the real and usual bob wrote
at 05:03:35 on 14 December 2017
The more I think about this ,the more I think that this is just a try on by Peel. This is just a bridge to far. there must be no compromise at all, not even one pound a week towards running costs.As I see it ,the road across is a public right of way and the tarmac or concrete wear is a public liability. but if this is the case, then for sure the public have a right to cross when they like, not when peel feel like letting them do so. It strikes me, that peel did not need to build that bridge in the first place.Think about it. they did not have a traffic problem, ships could travel along their canal without a problem. I contend peel built that bridge just to make money out of building it. we are told that £30 million quid went into it of public money.How much of that money was paid to one of peels companies to buy the land. one company to another. peel do not give away land even to themselves to build bridges. I know things are expensive these days, but how was that £30 million spent?
?
Retired Socailst wrote
at 05:03:25 on 14 December 2017
When a City destroys legitimate opposition at the ballot box for a red roseate pinned to a useless body what does it expect, when lethargy stops people leaving their chairs to dust off their arse to vote what does it expect, we have what we voted for shite. Labour don't need to listen until may comes around and then it as the machine to dust off it's limited support. Langworthy should tomorrow see change the wrong candidate at the wrong time Labour should loose but if the record books are anything to go on I doubt it. Without support activist and cash their will be no change, Jones and the others are moving and shouted through fear of losing their seats the people vote when they feel personally affected today traffic or busses but they would never vote for change Labour are like a slow growing left wing cancer eating away at the city the cure is available use it.
?
Terry Burnett wrote
at 17:19:46 on 13 December 2017
Bridge/A57: What does this Paul Dennett stand for? Name me 10 positive actions which may be credited to this helium filled caricature of a mayor. Andy Burnam fights tirelessly for Manchester, yes he is just a voice, but uses it to good effect for the people who elected him. As for Salford councillors words fail me. Dennett should be appearing on Look North West or using Mr. Burnham's contacts within national media to publicise the actions of Peel and Salford council.The latest outrage is the bus company First not providing a service to Irlam due to evening traffic and leaving people stranded at Eccles bus station. Anyone seen Barbara Keeley? Please remember these charlatans at the next elections.
?
Bob wrote
at 17:19:18 on 13 December 2017
As usual Salford city Council will bow down to Peel. Peel RUN Salford City council not our councillors.They are just yes Men/Women who jump when Peel shout. Come on Mayor / Councillors show some backbone and ORDER Peel to open the bridge now, FREE not a toll road.
?
Michael James Felse wrote
at 12:34:48 on 13 December 2017
I can only think the wake up call by local activists has forced the Irlam Labour Councillors voices on this bridge. Well done to the local action people. I too see the need for Langworthy Councillors to demand our Mayor makes Salford Council sell its £280million share in Manchester Airport. Langworthy has suffered more than any ward and deserves £68million of the proceeds to go into the reinvention of Langworthy. I demand £68million for Langworthy I also demand the Langworthy Councillors support this Demand.
?
the end wrote
at 12:34:41 on 13 December 2017
roger jones now trying to be the local hero to save his own skin. its his council that have fucked us all over once again. The man is a hypocrite, wants to save the golf course, but along with Hamilton Davies (and their building developer arm) is happy to sacrifice other areas of the GREEN BELT around irlam.
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