PERFORMANCE OF COUNCIL-OWNED COMPANIES UNDER REVIEW

A new committee is to be set up to review the performance of companies owned by CEC. To be known as the ASDV Shareholder Committee (Alternative Service Delivery Vehicle), the new body will comprise five elected members of Cheshire East Council, plus two co-opted members to bring additional business of sector-specific knowledge. The remit of the new committee will be to review the business plans, performance and commissioning of each of the Council's ASDVs (wholly owned companies). These companies include:

- Cheshire East Energy Ltd
- Engine of the North
- Skills & Growth Company
- Civicance (Planning Services)
- Transport Solutions Services
- ANSA (Waste Collections & Parks)
- Orbitas (Bereavement Services)
- Tatton Park Enterprises

I am pleased to confirm that I have been selected to be a member of this new committee, which will meet for the first time on Monday 6th August. Over the course of the next two years, the committee will make recommendations to cabinet on the degree to which each company is found to be compliant, delivering best value to the Council and residents and remains fit for purpose. I will provide further updates in due course.

RESIDENTS GIVE THUMBS UP TO WEST ST ONE-WAY

Cheshire East Highways recently carried out a formal consultation on the one-way proposals for West Street in the centre of the village. I am pleased to report that the results were favourable, with 135 letters being sent out to local residents and businesses and only two objections being received during the three-week consultation period.

The two objections received related to “wannabe racers” who might be encouraged to speed more often as a result of the proposed changes; and parking on the pavement on the Royles Square side of West Street, which would be unaffected by the proposals. A further comment was received, in favour of the proposals, but suggesting that they should be extended to George Street & South Street.

Cheshire East Highways have written to the respondents, explaining why their objections have not been upheld. The original proposal to include George Street and South Street, was not supported by an engineer’s recommendation and would also inevitably lead to an amount of “sign cluttering” in the area.

Here is a link to a video I have made, which I believe is a good illustration of why a one-way system is necessary at this location: https://youtu.be/Vd8OHWJX_7s

COMMUNITY SURGERY - SATURDAY 28TH JULY

I am pleased to confirm the date of my community surgery this month will be Saturday 28th July, starting at 10am at Alderley Edge Library. Do please drop in for a cuppa and a chat about any local issues that may be causing you concern. As a reminder, my regular surgery is held on the last Saturday of each month, usually at the library and from time to time I am also joined by our PCSO, Anna Jenkinson.

RAILWAY BRIDGE RESURFACING CONFIRMED

Following my recent blog post (Railway Bridge to Close for Two Weeks) I am delighted to now confirm that London Road/Wilmslow Road from the junction with Heyes Lane to the junction with Ryleys Lane is to be resurfaced this summer. The bridge is due to close from 6th to 19th August, during which time Network Rail will be carrying out works to improve pedestrian safety, as well as the security of the West Coast mainline; at the same time, Cheshire East Highways will be carrying out a complete resurfacing of the road. I have been pressing for the work to be included in this year’s capital programme and I would like to thank the officers from CE Highways for responding positively to my requests. During the closure the alternative route for vehicles will be via:- Wilmslow Road, Harden Park Roundabout, Melrose Way, Frog Lane Roundabout, Congleton Road, London Road and vice versa which is considered to be the most suitable route and will be signed accordingly.

HEYES LANE SPEEDWATCH RESULTS

This morning, I joined volunteers from our Community Speedwatch Group to carry out a session on Heyes Lane (just adjacent to the allotments). In response to popular demand, we recorded vehicles between 7.45 - 8.45am. The total number of vehicles exceeding the speed threshold during this time was twenty-one, of which eighteen were travelling under 40mph and three vehicles over 40mph. The highest recorded speed on this occasion was 45mph, whilst the average speed of all recorded vehicles was 38mph. We are continually looking for more local volunteers to help run these sessions, as the more volunteers we have, the more sessions we can run and the safer our local roads will be. If you are able to give up an hour a month to help out, please drop me an email (craig.browne@cheshireeast.gov.uk) or leave your details in the comment box below.

HEYES LANE SURVEY - WHAT YOU TOLD US

The results of the residents’ survey, which ran for a three-week period and closed on Monday 16th July have now been compiled. All directly affected residents of Heyes Lane received a copy of the proposals, along with a letter and link to the online survey. 48 residents completed the survey; here is a summary of what they said:

- 71% of respondents agreed with the creation of on-street parking spaces, although they were evenly split on whether the spaces should be all-day or for a limited time.
- 83% of respondents agreed that speeding vehicles are a problem, although 21% wanted to consider alternative traffic calming measures.
- 81% of respondents agreed that double parking is a problem, although 12.5% considered single yellow lines (allowing weekend parking) to be adequate.
- 69% of respondents agreed that access protection markings are needed, although of the remaining respondents, 25% said this question did not directly affect them.
- 63% of respondents were residents of Heyes Lane, with the remaining 37% residents of other parts of the village, but with an interest in the proposals.

The survey has provided some helpful feedback in terms of how the proposals can be amended or improved and this will be passed on to CE Highways. Here is a selection of some of the comments that were received during the consultation period:

*We do not need parking that no-one will use - it is "too far out of the village for short stay and definitely should not be for long stay. A definite NO from me.

*The proposed spaces near Barrington House should be short term and should not be valid during school bus pick up and drop off times.

*A improved road surface is what we need, not this.

*Anything to stop people speeding on Heyes Lane is fine.

*An excellent pragmatic solution. Speeding at the village end of Heyes Lane is a real problem and extremely dangerous.

*I think your traffic calming idea is a very good one with the practical benefits of extra parking. Really well thought out.

SKATEPARK CONSULTATION EVENT - MONDAY 23RD JULY

For the last 18 months, members of Alderley Edge Youth Council have been working on proposals for a new skating area in the village. As part of this process, the young people (supported by Cllrs Rachael Grantham and Craig Browne) have been holding discussions with Cheshire Police, Cheshire East Parks (ANSA) and Evolution Skateparks.

Our Youth Councillors are now ready to present their proposals to the community and would like to invite all residents to a consultation event on Monday 23rd July from 5pm - 7pm at the Festival Hall. At the event, there will be displays of the various options, as well as an opportunity to speak with the Youth Councillors about their ideas.

The attached sketch was drawn by Louis, one of our Youth Councillors, who took the ideas from some of the discussions from our meetings and translated them into a design. This design has now been interpreted by Evolution Skateparks and Cheshire East Council, who have produced a CGI of Louis work which will be on display on Monday evening.

The Youth Councillors are very aware of potential concerns residents may have, but feel that a skatepark would give them a safe environment to play in and encourage young people to get outdoors. They particularly feel that youth facilities in Alderley Edge are limited, but are keen to hear the views of local residents.

Whilst all comments are welcome, in terms of feeding back to Cheshire East Council, we need formal feedback forms (which will be available on the night) to be completed. If anyone wishes to give feedback, but is unable to attend on Monday, please email Cllr Rachael Grantham who will send an electronic feedback form by return

SELECT PROPERTY GROUP APPLICATION APPROVED

I can confirm that planning application 18/1591M for the extension of existing offices, creation of 60 additional parking spaces and landscaping at the former Horseshoe Farm, has been approved today at Northern Planning Committee. I asked for the application to be considered by the committee, due to the development being sited within the green belt and following a recommendation of REFUSAL by the planning officer. Whilst I sympathised with the officer's position, whose job is to apply Cheshire East Council Policy, I also felt that the policy was designed to protect and defend and that in this very specific case it neither protected local jobs, nor defended the amenity for local residents.

Whilst it goes against my principles to support inappropriate development within the green belt, successive planning applications granted on this site since 2012, had already fundamentally changed its character from that of a former farm and shop. Select Property Group have thrived on this site and already employ within the region of 130 members of staff, whilst Cheshire East Council's Parking Standards suggest that only 58 parking spaces are necessary to accommodate this number of staff, with others expected to walk, cycle or use public transport to travel to work. I agreed with the applicant, local residents and Parish Councillors, all of whom felt that this was unrealistic.

Proposing the application for approval (against officer recommendation), fellow members of Northern Planning Committee agreed with me by 6 votes to 3 (with 3 further abstentions) that very special circumstances existed in the form of the contribution of the business to the local economy, the dire need for additional parking, improvement of the amenity for nearby residents on Horseshoe Lane and the proposal's respect for the existing character and appearance of the area. As a result of the application's approval, a number of highway improvement measures (attached) will also be introduced by the applicant, which have been secured by planning condition.

In addition, the applicant has confirmed that the new 60-space car park will be available to support community events (e.g. the May Fair) that take place during weekends.

RAILWAY BRIDGE TO CLOSE FOR TWO WEEKS

Wilmslow Road, from the junction with Heyes Lane, to the junction with Ryleys Lane, will be subject to a full road closure for two weeks during August. Following the Selby Rail Crash in 2001, in which a high speed train collided with a land rover resulting in the death of ten passengers, network rail has been carrying out a safety assessment at all locations across the country where vehicles have the potential to leave the road and end up on a railway line. Although there have been no recorded incidents at this location in the last five years, the risk assessment by Network Rail resulted in a score of 92 at this location (where a score of 100 represents an immediate danger). To mitigate the risk, the following works are to be carried out: widening of the footpath on the westerly side of the railway bridge; installation of raised "titan" kerb stones (see attached graphic); installation of metal barrier railings (see attached graphic); and narrowing the road surface by approximately 650mm.

At this time, I am still awaiting confirmation that the road surface between Heyes Lane and Ryleys Lane is to be resurfaced at the same time, though I am confident that this is going to be forthcoming. This aside, whilst the road closure will cause unavoidable temporary disruption, I believe the project is to be welcomed as the installation of the new barrier and subsequent narrowing of the carriageway will act as a traffic calming measure at an entry point to our village. I am also pleased to confirm that the metal barrier railings are to be painted dark green, as this is considered sympathetic and complementary to the Conservation Area, whilst the existing railings on the easterly side of the bridge (which have been in need of repainting for many years) will also be painted to match. As soon as I receive confirmation of the road resurfacing, I will provide an update. Whilst there is never a good time to close a major route into the village, it was felt that carrying out the work during August (whilst schools are closed) would help to minimise the level of disruption.

(click on the images to enlarge)

SPEEDING VEHICLE EVERY 64 SECONDS IN SCHOOL SAFETY ZONE

On Tuesday 3rd July, volunteers from our Community Speedwatch team were out on Ryleys Lane between 7.30-8.30am. They had one of their busiest sessions to date, recording 56 vehicles exceeding the speed threshold - that's one vehicle every 64 seconds (it is worth noting that although vehicles were only recorded if they were travelling over 30mph, this section of Ryleys Lane is within a School Safety Zone where the speed limit is supposed to be 20mph at this time of day).

- 33 vehicles were recorded travelling between 36-39mph
- 23 vehicles were recorded travelling in excess of 40mph
- 49mph was the highest recorded speed on this occasion
- the average speed of all recorded vehicles was 40mph