For the Executive to consider the following petition:

“Six months ago the CAT5 between Warburton and Altrincham was put on a diversionary route due to a new advisory height sign erected by Trafford MBC following guidance issued by the Department of Transport. A similar issue on Barsbank Lane, Statham with a similar low underbridge was resolved this year, as the bridge was re-signed by Warrington Borough Council. We the undersigned insist that this situation is resolved without further delay by Trafford MBC. Also, until that time, TfGM arrange for a diversion that best serves the travelling public instead of just the operator by travelling down a route that is already well served.”

The Executive gave formal consideration to the following petition.

“Six months ago the CAT5 between Warburton and Altrincham was put on a diversionary route due to a new advisory height sign erected by Trafford MBC following guidance issued by the Department of Transport. A similar issue on Barsbank Lane, Statham with a similar low underbridge was resolved this year, as the bridge was re-signed by Warrington Borough Council. We the undersigned insist that this situation is resolved without further delay by Trafford MBC. Also, until that time, TfGM arrange for a diversion that best serves the travelling public instead of just the operator by travelling down a route that is already well served.”

A representative of the petitioners had submitted the following further material clarifying the concerns which had prompted the petition, and the Executive Member had taken this into consideration in responding on behalf of the Executive.

“It is my belief petitions with over 500 signatories will be considered at a full council meeting.

I therefore present the results of a current petition to date for consideration at said meeting.

The petition has the backing and support of Warburton Parish council, Lymm Parish Council, public house’s and other business’s and has been signed by people who live and or work in the catchment area and their social, business and family life has been affected by the ridiculous situation of the withdrawal of a service which historically extends over 60 years due to what we believe is the mis-signing of the height limit of the under-bridge in Dunham Massey.

The under-bridge itself was rebuilt (I believe) some 39 years ago and was specifically redesigned to accommodate single deck buses.

Despite the fact that it is 11’ 9” in height from the road surface to the lower deck it is signed at 9’ I am lead to believe that this complies with new government guidelines. Guidelines are there to guide and are not law. Can we please see some common sense applied, as this diversion is causing a lot of disruption to peoples lives.

The new CAT5 buses at a height of 9’ 6” have been transiting safely since their introduction in spring of 2018.

Increasing the height by 6” to allow the buses to continue would surely not encourage a deluge of high heavy vehicles to use this route!

Please find attached the signatories who have signed to enforce the statement:

We the undersigned insist that this situation is resolved without further delay by Trafford MBC. Also, until that time, TfGM arrange for a diversion that best serves the travelling public instead of just the operator by travelling down a route that is already well served.

Thanks and Regards”

It was noted that a related question had also been received from the petitioners’ representative, as follows:

“In all correspondence with the various authorities and various Paris Councils. The word new laws is used in defence of the bridge signage:

I can find no such ‘new law’. But have discovered the following guidance:-

Prevention of Strike on Bridge over Highways

A Protocol for Highway Managers & Bridge owners ISSUE 2

Which in Section 2.29 states:-

Measurement of headroom

2.29 All bridges with headroom of less than 16’6” (5.03m) at any point over a carriageway should be signed in accordance with the guidance given in the tsM43 section 7. this will, in all situations, allow a minimum safety margin for vehicle (suspension) bounce etc. of 3” or 0.1m (these are not equivalent values but each is applied in accordance with the measurement guidelines).

“I personally, have measured the distance from the tarmacadam road deck to the bottom of the 'collision protection beams' and it is 11' 9" at it's lowest, the signage is 9', the CAT5 vehicles height is 9' 6". This leaves 2' 3" clearance”. 2’ in excess or the guidelines.

I therefore request that the council reassess the situtaion and install more accurate signage to enable the CAT5 buses to transit this underbridge as they have been doing for a period of 2.5 years prior to the diversion”

As indicated above, the content of this question had been taken into account by the Executive Member; and it was noted that a detailed written response would also be provided to the questioner following the meeting.

The Executive Member responded as follows.

“As some Members may be aware the decision to re-route the Cat 5 service away from the Dunham Underbridge was made by Warrington’s Own Buses based on their own Legal Department’s advice and despite many months of discussions between Council officers, WOB and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

Their decision followed an increase in bridge strikes around the country, that resulted in the Traffic Commissioner issuing national guidance to bus operators to take additional steps to remove the potential for any bridge strikes. Traffic Commissioners are responsible for the licensing and regulation of bus, coach and goods vehicle operators, and registration of local bus services.  

The bridge itself is owned by the Bridgewater Canal Company Limited (BCCL), a subsidiary of Peel Holdings, and is signed at 9’0”, which is itself an increase on the signed height on the previous structure that was replaced here over 40 years ago. WOB approached the Council and TfGM to ask whether the signage could be amended to 9’6”, which is the current height of their low roof service buses. They advised that Warrington Council had made a change to the signs on one of the canal bridges in their area around Barsbank Lane.

The previous approach taken by WOB on this route for many decades, was that their single deck buses could pass through the bridge safely. In addition, WOB actually purchased several low height (9’6”) high buses because standard single decker buses were considered too high and the lower unit gave an increased clearance.

Since WOB’s request to change the sign the bridge clearance was re-measured, and the sign height calculation checked to ensure this remains applicable which it does. Importantly the owner of the bridge have stated that they do not want the height on the signs increased at Dunham due the risk to their asset. We are aware that a number of issues have occurred in Warrington on Barsbank Lane with over height vehicles being stuck since the signage was amended.

Trafford Council and Transport for Great Manchester (TfGM) initially offered an option of a way forward to ask the Traffic Commissioner whether a formalised “Memorandum of Understanding” between all parties was appropriate to ensure the service could still be in use. Unfortunately the Traffic Commissioner did not consider that this was an issue for them to get involved with.

Officers have met many times with TfGM and WOB this year to try and resolve this issue and I can advise that this matter has progressed recently, and that TfGM have confirmed the restoration of public transport links to the western side of Bowdon, Dunham Massey and Dunham Woodhouses. This has been as follows:

From Sunday 29 August, the Little Gem service 287 was revised in Bowdon; this service now runs from Altrincham Interchange via Ashley Road, Langham Road, Park Road, Dunham Road, Bow Green Road and return via Bowdon Vale and Upper Bowdon to Altrincham Interchange. This revised service now calls at bus stops on Park Road which are close to the A56, a 25-minute walk through Dunham Massey grounds to the entrance of Dunham Massey.

Also with effect from earlier September, the Partington Local Link provision has also been extended to provide a service to the rural part of this area; this pre-booked service can be used for journeys to and from Dunham Massey, Dunham Woodhouses and Dunham Town. In addition, services CAT5 and CAT5A will continue to operate as they have and provide a link between Altrincham, Warburton, Lymm and Warrington. Information about this service in on TfGM’s website.

Trafford Council and all parties remain committed to trying to find a solution to resolve this issue and to enable a service to return to the original route.

I hope this clarifies the current position for Members.”