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.