GULLY CLEANING

As many of you will have perhaps noticed, gully cleaning will be taking place on Wednesday 31st May. As a result, there will be temporary "No Parking" restrictions on the following streets: George St, South St, West St, Clifton St & Lynton Lane. I would like to thank CE Highways for visiting Alderley Edge as one of their first "Clean & Cleanse" days in 2017.

MARLBOROUGH AVENUE STREETLAMP

I am pleased to report that the damaged lighting column outside the Electricity NW Sub Station will be removed and replaced this coming week.  The column was damaged earlier this year, but remained hidden by overhanging trees.  I have also asked Cheshire East Highways to prune back the conifer trees, to try and avoid this happening again and to ensure the light does not remain on during the day.

HOUGH LANE SURFACE DRESSING

I am pleased to confirm that surface dressing will be taking place on Hough Lane next week, as part of the latest phase of improvements to our local roads.  Later in the year, Wilmslow Road and London Road are due to be resurfaced, all the way from Horseshoe Farm up to Natwest Bank.  There will be a three-day road closure whilst Hough Lane is being done, so please allow extra journey time.

SID REPORT (APRIL)

I have now downloaded the SID data for the month of April (if see me climbing the wall opposite Woodlands Court on Congleton Road, you will know what I am up to!) and am pleased to publish the figures.  A total of 116,471 vehicles were recorded and the average recorded speed was 29.8mph, whilst the highest speed was 73.0mph.  Over the period, 53,115 (46%) vehicles were travelling at or below 30mph, whilst 52 vehicles were travelling at 60mph or faster.  Seven vehicles were recorded travelling in excess of 70mph!

HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY

The results of the Housing Needs Survey recently carried out by Engine of the North on behalf of Cheshire East Council are now available.  736 survey returns were completed (a response rate of 30%).  63% of respondents (Alderley Edge residents) were in favour of a small development in order to meet the need for affordable housing.

Of those respondents in favour of more affordable housing,  the reasons given were:
- a need for greater diversity within the community (32 respondents)
- a need to support the working population (including low-paid, or key workers)
- a need to help first-time buyers get on the housing ladder (16 respondents)

13 respondents were against any kind of development (affordable or otherwise)

VILLAGE PLANTERS

This morning I joined Parish Councillors Geoff Hall, Christine Munro & Mike Taylorson to help remove the old wooden planters from the village.  Led by Mike Dudley-Jones, the Parish Council have been fundraising for 12 new planters, which have been ordered and will be in place by early June. This is in preparation for this year's entry to North West in Bloom.