Following my sponsored walk from Alderley Edge to Manchester on Friday 13th May, I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored me or supported me in any way with the event. Cllr Rob Moreton and his team set off from Congleton at around 7.15am and I joined them at the Alderley Edge Ward Boundary by the junction with Whitebarn Road and Congleton Road when they arrived at about 10.30am. After a brief pit stop for a coffee in Alderley Edge, we continued on towards Manchester carrying collection buckets, as well as blue and yellow balloons.
After arriving in Wilmslow, we walked along Grove Street where we were delighted to be stopped by two Ukrainian refugees who introduced themselves to us and thanked us for what we were doing; they also asked to have their photographs taken with us. At around 12.30pm we arrived in Handforth, where we had another brief pit stop to pick up another coffee and a bacon sandwich, before continuing our journey towards Cheadle Royal and then onwards into Manchester. We were supported along the way by a number of car drivers, who honked their horns as they drove past, with some pulling over to make donations.
The final three miles of our journey, from Parrswood to Manchester City Centre were hard going; our feet and muscles started to ache as we knew we were getting closer, but still feeling like we were a long way from the finishing line. We finally arrived in St Peter's Square, where we crossed the finishing line to the tune of the Town Crier's Bell and rapturous applause from locals as well as our support team. After the obligatory photographs to prove we had actually done it, we retired to a local hostelry for a well-earned rest and some equally well-earned liquid refreshment.
Now that the final tallying up has been done, we are delighted to report that our efforts raised £2,966 in advance sponsorship for the youth mental health charity, Visyon (www.visyon.org.uk) and a further £356 in donations received on the day towards the British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. Once again, on behalf of Rob & myself can I say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributed and supported us.
As I reported recently, a number of our local roads have been included in the carriageway repair programme for 2022/23. This follows a decision by Cheshire East Council to invest an additional £19m in the capital repairs programme over the next three years. Last week, level 2 patching repairs were carried out on Stevens Street and Eaton Drive.
I have now received notification that repairs will be carried out on Macclesfield Road, during the period from Wednesday 25th May to Tuesday 31st May (not including the weekend). This will involve Level 2 patching repairs from the junction with Woodbrook Road, to the junction with Birtles Lane (Over Alderley), followed by surface dressing.
Unfortunately, during this period there will be a full road closure in place, from the junction with Congleton Road, to the junction with Birtles Lane. Residential access will be retained wherever possible, although there will be some disruption whilst the works are carried out. The official diversion route will take drivers along Congleton Road to Monks Heath.
As a reminder to residents, Congleton Road, from the de Trafford Arms to the junction with Melrose Way in Nether Alderley, is also included in this year's capital programme and works will be carried out later in the year. On behalf of Cheshire East Highways, I would like to thank residents for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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STATEMENT FROM PEAKS & PLAINS:
The board of Peaks & Plains Housing Trust have taken the difficult decision to close Holmfield – a block of 32 apartments, built in 1974 for 55s and over in Alderley Edge. This decision was taken after two face to face consultation meetings with residents and the final decision was made at a board meeting on 26th April 2022.
The following day, the Trust’s CEO, Mark Howden, and Head of Customer Experience, David Squires met with the 21 existing residents to explain the decision and to outline the package of support and care that will be made available to them. They were joined by Cllr Mike Dudley-Jones, Chair of Alderley Edge Parish Council and have been in close contact with Councillor Craig Browne, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and borough councillor for Alderley Edge ward, throughout the consultation process.
David Squires, Head of Customer Experience at Peaks & Plains Housing Trust commented:
"We are already working closely with residents to understand their housing needs and to help them find suitable new homes. It’s a priority for us. We’re confident, that with close support from our partners at Cheshire East, we can work with residents and their families to resettle the residents at Holmfield into alternative homes that are appropriate for their needs.”
A spokesperson from Peaks & Plains added: “The decision to close the scheme was based on the cost of
necessary future compliance and repair work on these homes. This work would
have made the scheme financially unviable. In addition, demand for these small
and outdated flats at Holmfield is low, while the demand for modern efficient affordable
homes in the areas is high.
Peaks & Plains Housing Trust plans to continue to work with interested local partners to redevelop this site in Alderley Edge to build these much-needed affordable homes. Peaks & Plains has no plans to close any of its other sheltered schemes.”
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Eaton Drive (from Ryleys Lane to Wilton Crescent) - Mon 9th May to Weds 11th May
Stevens Street (from London Road to Trafford Road) - Mon 9th May to Weds 11th May
Macclesfield Road (from London Road to Birtles Lane) - Weds 25th May - Tues 31st May
Last year Cheshire East Council decided to abolish the Area Highways Groups (of which there were eight, with our Local Area Group covering Alderley Edge, Wilmslow & Handforth) and to reallocate the funding to each individual Ward Member, giving each Councillor a total of £4,200 per year to spend on local highways priorities. I decided to use my Ward Budget to part-fund repairs to Eaton Drive & Stevens Street (which are being carried out next week) and to fund the addition of white "No Entry" markings on the road surface at the junction of West Street and London Road (installed last year).
Works to Macclesfield Road are being funded through Cheshire East Council's Highways Capital Programme, which this year has seen an additional investment of £7.242m from the Council's own resources, funded through borrowing. Later in the year, this programme is also funding repairs to Congleton Road, Heyes Lane, Brook Lane & South Street and I will provide an update on when these repairs are going to be undertaken as soon as possible. Inevitably, there will be some disruption whilst the repairs are being carried out and I would like to thank residents in advance for their patience.
