CHRISTMAS PERIOD EMERGENCY COVER

As I will be taking a much needed break over the Christmas period, I am pleased to publish the contact details for Cheshire East Council which should be used in case of an emergency only:

Cheshire East Highways: 0300 123 5020

Children & Adults Services: 0300 123 5022

CCTV Control Room: 0300 123 5025

If you do need to speak to me over the Christmas period, I will be holding my regular Community Surgery on Saturday 29th December, between 10am and 11am at Alderley Edge Library.

I would like to wish everyone a very peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year

HEYES LANE SPEED STATISTICS

Yesterday I had the chance to download the data from our new SID (Speed Indicator Device) on Heyes Lane. The SID has been in operation for just over two weeks, so I was able to download the data for a full two-week period. The device collects data from vehicles travelling in both directions and comparative evidence suggests those driving towards the display, reduced their speed.

Data shows that the average speed of vehicles travelling towards the speed display was 31mph, whereas the average speed of vehicles travelling towards the village (with the speed display behind them) was slightly higher at 32mph. It also shows that almost 77% of vehicles travelling towards the display were under 30mph, but this dropped to 69% of vehicles travelling with the display behind them.

In the New Year, we hope to replace the SID on Congleton Road (which was taken away some weeks ago due to a technical fault) with a new device of the same design as the one on Heyes Lane.

VOLUNTEER LIBRARY SERVICE SET TO LAUNCH

With the help of a group of local residents, we will be launching a new volunteer-led library session from Tuesday 8th January. This is in response to a proposal by Cheshire East Council in 2017 to close Alderley Edge Library (which was subsequently overturned) and then a reduction in the number of staffed hours from 25 hours a week, to 20 hours a week from August 2018.

Working with a group of local residents who felt strongly that the library provides a much valued community resource, I have been working to re-open the library on a Tuesday afternoon and early evening between 1.30pm and 5.30pm. During this time, the full range of borrowing services will remain available although initially, access to the People's Network computers will not be available.

We have a willing group of about 20 volunteers, but this is unlikely to be enough to provide cover when people are away, or taken ill etc. So, we desperately need more residents to come forward to help out for a couple of hours on a Tuesday afternoon, once a month. If you are able to help us keep the library open, please email your details to: aelibvolunteers@gmail.com

Thank you.

ROAD REPAIRS (CARLISLE STREET)

I am pleased to confirm that Level 2 patching work has been carried out on Carlisle Street this morning, following my recent report to Cheshire East Highways. The work has been completed quickly and with minimal disruption and I am sure everyone will agree that it is a welcome improvement. As always, I would like to thank officers for responding to my request for repairs to be carried out. I do regularly report areas of the village where repair work is necessary, but if there are any near where you live that are in need of attention, please let me know in the comment box below. Many thanks.

REDESMERE DRIVE - REINFORCEMENT OF PARKING RESTRICTIONS

As some of you may have already noticed, double yellow lines have now been introduced at the entrance to Redesmere Drive (on the left hand side), covering the area opposite the junction with Windermere Drive. As parking opposite a junction is already a contravention of Highway Code (Rule 243), the double yellow lines are really just a reinforcement of an existing restriction.



The restrictions have been introduced to try and prevent double parking at this location, which had become an issue for refuse vehicles and delivery trucks trying to access the Lakes estate (as shown in one of the attached photos). Pavement parking had also become an issue at the entrance to Redesmere Drive, which was a particular concern with this being a walking route to the Primary School.

In 2016, a residents' petition had asked for parking restrictions to be introduced across the whole of the Lakes estate; unfortunately, CE Highways are unable to consider this until the Car Park at Ryleys Lane has been extended to accommodate any displaced vehicles. I am continuing to work on this, but progress is reliant on funding from the new Community Infrastructure Levy and the land being identified through the Neighbourhood Plan.

 

CCTV REPORT - 2ND QUARTER 2018

I am pleased to attach the CCTV Report for the second quarter of 2018 (this covers the period from July to September). A total of 33 incidents were picked up during the period, of which 10 resulted in follow-up action being taken by the police and one of which has so far resulted in a suspect being taken into custody. A number of the police investigations are ongoing. During the period, the most common incidents under investigation were anti-social behaviour, thefts and traffic collisions.

PCSO REPORT FOR NOVEMBER

At the Parish Council meeting last night, PCSO Anna Jenkinson gave a report highlighting that Alderley Edge (along with Wilmslow & Prestbury) is being targeted, with an increase in burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles in the run up to Christmas. Please be extra vigilant over the next few weeks and take care not to leave items on display.

Speed enforcement is continuing to take place on Melrose Way, following the recent fatal accident. An onsite meeting has taken place involving officers from Cheshire Police & Cheshire East Highways and options are being explored with a view to making the bypass safer, including the introduction of double white lines (no overtaking) and new signage.

 

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH - DECEMBER RESULTS

Earlier today I joined local residents and volunteers on Ryleys Lane to carry out our monthly Community Speedwatch session. On this occasion, we were also joined by our PCSO, Anna Jenkinson. Stationed near to the junction of Chorley Hall Lane, we were able to record vehicles travelling in three directions and the results were as follows:

- total number of vehicles speeding (above threshold) 23
- 16 of which were travelling at under 40mph
- 7 of which were travelling at 40mph or above
- the average speed was 39mph and the top speed 47mph

As this was our final session of 2018, I would like to thank everyone who has helped out this year and make an appeal to any other local residents who may be concerned about speeding traffic to please join our group. It takes four volunteers to run a session: one to hold the gun and record the speed, one to record the registration number, one to record the vehicle make & model and one to write everything down and pass the forms over to the police. The more volunteers we have, the more sessions we will be able to run and the safer our roads will be. On behalf of the team, may I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.