Firefight squad moo-ves two cows
TWO stranded cows were rescued from the Bridgewater Canal in Runcorn.
Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service firefighters were called out to rescue what was believed to be a stranded cow at 8.50pm on Monday, July 2, but it transpired that it had company.
Firefighters deployed an inflatable raft to get to the pair, before guiding them to a nearby slipway and helping them out of the canal.
Three appliances from Lymm, Runcorn and Bollington were required at the scene, as well as an animal rescue team from Lymm.
A fire service spokesman said: “The animal rescue team from Lymm were called to reports that a cow had fallen into the canal in Runcorn.
“On arrival crews found that two cows were both in the waterway.
“The team used an inflatable raft to get to the animals; they then guided them to a nearby slipway and assisted them out of the canal.
“The team were in attendance for approximately two hours.” ● VILLAGERS have declared victory in their bid to thwart plans to build houses on a field in Runcorn as part of major regeneration plans.
Colin Campbell, Friends Of Halton Village (FOHV) chairman and founder, revealed that Halton Borough Council had asked urban designers to remove the contentious ‘plot 11’ from its Halton Lea NHS Healthy New Town masterplan in a recent email to group members.
Consultants WYG had envisaged building homes on a strip of green space running alongside the Methodist Church from Main Street to Shopping City in a bid to boost visibility and sense of safety. But villagers opposed the plans. The field was also earmarked for residential construction in the key planning document, the draft Halton Delivery And Allocations Local Plan (DALP), which proposed a smaller area of land than indicated by the Healthy New Town masterplan.
Mr Campbell said a petition opposing the Plot 11 proposals collected about 360 signatures.
He said Wesley Rourke, Halton operational director for economy, enterprise and property, has asked WYG to remove the plot.
The announcement is an early win for the fledgling Friends Of Halton Village group but it remains to be seen whether the decision will be binding on whether the site is included for residential development in the final DALP.
Mr Campbell had suggested to Halton Village residents that the group would have more success in winning concessions in altering the draft Halton Lea healthy new town (HHNT) plans if they opted for a spirit of collaboration with the council and consultants.
Villagers had expressed overall support for the healthy new town masterplan, with some concerns over traffic, demand on public services and the most vocal grievances focused on Plot 11.
Other masterplan proposals include improving pedestrian access; dismantling overhead road and pedestrian access and replacing it at ground level; parks and activity trails; a public square; and tearing down East Lane House to be replaced with ‘linear parks’ and townhouses to accord better with housing demand surveys.
After the meeting, Mr Campbell said: “Friends Of Halton Village are delighted with the removal of Plot 11 from the Healthy Halton New Town Masterplan.
“FOHV were given the opportunity to take part in the consultation and after a presentation by HHNT our opinion was that the residential proposal was not suitable use of the land next to the Methodist church.
“Thankfully HHNT and Halton Borough council listened to FoHV concerns and have now removed Plot 11 from the masterplan.”