Midcheshire Independent Issue 196

SEPTEMBER 2026 2 PDQ LANDSCAPE & BUILDING SERVICES 07763 923005 01270 421405 From inside to outside, whatever you can imagine, we can make it come true. IF WE CAN’T DO IT NO ONE CAN! FREE QUOTE Call Steve sredmond24707825@aol.com No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Mike Hulme mike@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US A MULTI-AGENCY com- munity safety patrol has taken place in Northwich following reports from businesses and residents about anti-social behav- iour and rough sleep- ing in and around the town centre. The patrol, organised by the Northwich Anti-So- cial Behaviour (ASB) Unit, brought together partners from Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Commu- nity Safety Team, Housing Services, outreach services and Cheshire Police. During the operation officers visited 10 locations across Northwich town cen- tre and surrounding areas. The team spoke with several individuals, offering advice and support, while also taking enforcement action where appropriate. The patrol included vis- its to known locations and discussions with Northwich Town Council to identify any new areas where people may be sleeping rough. As a result of the operation, sev- eral referrals were made to Housing Options to help indi- viduals access support and accommodation services. The team also issued a Community Protection Warning in response to anti-social behaviour and confiscated alcohol under the town centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). Councillor Stuart Bing- ham, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbour- hood Pride, said: “Part- nership working is vital in helping us address anti-social behaviour and support vulnerable people in our communities. “These patrols allow us to respond to concerns raised by residents and businesses, while ensuring that people who need help can access the right support services. “We will continue to work closely with our partners to keep Northwich town centre safe, welcoming and accessi- ble for everyone.” Inspector Paul Heat- ley, Cheshire Police, said: “We know that anti-social behaviour and rough sleep- ing can have a significant impact on local communi- ties, businesses and visitors to the town centre. These joint patrols allow us to take action where enforcement is needed. “By sharing information and working together, we can address issues more effectively and help keep Northwich a safe and wel- coming place for everyone.” People concerned about someone sleeping rough can report it through StreetLink, a national ser- vice that connects people sleeping rough with local support services. Alerts sent through StreetLink are passed to Forum Housing’s outreach team, who will attempt to locate the individual and offer support. A GIANT tunnel boring machine has completed the first stage of its under- ground mission. The 40-tonne machine trav- elled fromMoor Pool to Knutsford Wastewater Treatment Works as part of United Utilities’ £48 mil- lion upgrade to the sewer network. The huge excavator has been named ‘Lily’ by pupils at Bexton Primary School after the nearby River Lily. Its journey began at Parkgate Industrial Estate before breaking through at Knutsford Wastewater Treatment Works. The boring machine will return to Parkgate and lowered underground before embarking on the second part of its journey. This time it will be travelling in the opposite direction, to Moor Pumping Station near Moor Pool. The scheme will provide extra stormwater storage and improve water quality in Moor Pool by installing a 1.8km storage tun- nel between the water company’s pumping station at Moor Pool, and its wastewater treatment works in Knutsford. Once complete, the tunnel will be 20 metres underground at its deepest point and two metres in diameter. It will store up to five and a half million litres of stormwater Safety patrol tackles town centre problems The 40-tonne machine has been named ‘Lily’ by pupils at Bexton Primary School after the nearby River Lily (Image: Supplied) Tunnel boring machine paves way for major sewer upgrade in periods of heavy rainfall, before being treated at Knutsford waste- water treatment works. Maria Fletcher, county busi- ness lead for wastewater in Cheshire said: “This project highlights our ongoing commit- ment to improving water quality in the county, and how working closely with partners can offer alternative and innovative solu- tions to stormwater management in protected areas. “This is also a remarkable feat of engineering, delivering major underground infrastructure that will store up to five and a half mil- lion litres of stormwater in periods of heavy rainfall. “That’s equivalent to two Olympic sized swimming pools – and reduce storm over- flow activations.”