RESIDENTS GIVE BIG THUMBS UP TO 20MPH ZONE

Following a recent consultation by Cheshire East Highways, I am pleased to report that residents have spoken strongly and in large numbers in favour of the introduction of a 20mph zone and associated traffic calming measures in the centre of our village. In total, almost 700 people responded, with more than 500 in support of the proposals.

A report commissioned by Cheshire East Council concludes that "694 responses is a high level of response, particularly given the population of Alderley Edge village in 2011 (the last census) was 4,780. That such a large proportion of residents (73%) indicated their support for the proposals gives a fairly clear mandate to proceed with them, indeed many residents felt that the proposals could go further.

Whilst there is very strong support for the proposals, there is some concern that the proposals may not solve what might be the main issue in the village - that of apparent 'supercar parades' which the village seems to have become a focal point for. The large volume of responses to the survey however, indicates a high level of feeling about the proposals and the issues they are designed to solve."

The main reasons given in support of the proposals included: 

- "people drive too fast around the village and so a 20mph limit and speed bumps are needed"

- "the proposals will benefit the whole community and make it a more pleasant place to live"

- "the proposals will make it safer for everyone, but especially children, pedestrians and cyclists"

The main reasons given in opposition to the proposals included:

- "they are a waste of money to appease a vocal minority"

- "the proposed area is too large and should focus on London Road only"

- "the proposals will have a negative visual impact on the village"

The purpose of the survey was to gather and analyse initial feedback on the proposals and dependent upon the outcome, commence a formal period of consultation on the final proposals. Following the high number of responses in favour of the principle of the scheme, Cheshire East Highways will now proceed to statutory consultation with an indicative timescale as follows:

- drafting of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and Officer Decision Record (December/January)

- formal consultation on the final proposals (February/March)

- detailed design, including road closure/permit consultation (January/April)

- construction and implementation of the scheme (June/July)

I would like to record my thanks to everyone who responded to the consultation, as well as to officers from Cheshire East Highways and our partners in the emergency services and members of the Multi Agency Action Group for their work in developing the proposals. I'm also grateful to our three schools, Alderley Edge Community Primary, Alderley Edge School for Girls & the Ryleys for their support.

Whilst I am pleased with the consultation response, I am under no illusion that there is a single effective solution to the problem of antisocial driving and some of the alternative options that were suggested by opponents of the proposals will need to remain under consideration (such as additional enforcement by the police, as well as average speed or acoustic cameras); however, these options are resource intensive and lie outside the current remit of Cheshire East Council.

WELCOME REMEDY FOR PARK VISITORS

I am delighted to welcome "Juice Remedy" to our village park, starting from Thursday 11th November. Earlier this year, Cheshire East Council called for expressions of interest from potential providers of a refreshment facility in four parks across the borough (one of which being in Alderley Edge). I can now confirm "Juice Remedy" or "Remedy on the Park" as it will be known, as the winning tender.

This is an initiative that I have been pressing Cheshire East Council to embrace for many months and I am really pleased that it is finally going to become a reality next week. I know from the conversations I have had with residents that this is something that many will want to welcome and look forward to purchasing light refreshments from when they are visiting the park.

"Juicy Remedy" will operate intially on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from a beautifully converted Citroen HY van that will be positioned between the bandstand and children's play area. A range of products will be available including pressed fruit and vegetable juices, along with quality coffee and wellness lattes, as well as delicious and nutritious treats.

Remedy will also be making an appearance at the Christmas Lights Switch On on Saturday 13th November, at South Street Car Park, with a focus on quality, health, wellbeing and sustainability. Remedy will be operated by a local business owner and I would like to wish them every success. I believe this facility will be a very welcome addition to our village park.

CCTV CONTROL ROOM REPORT - QUARTER 2 2021/22

I am pleased to attach our Q2 report from the CCTV Control Room, which shows that a total of 55 incidents were recorded during the period. Some of which led to no further action following an initial review of the system (these incidents might include instances of the team observing apparently suspicious behaviour or monitoring an individual in a state of drunkenness making their way out of the village).

Over the last 18 months, the CCTV team has carried out an upgrade of our surveillance equipment, which now includes full HD and nighttime vision. The team were recently inspected by the Security & Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) for the Management and Operation of Public Space CCTV (known in the industry as the "platinum standard" with only a handful of the 400+ councils nationwide holding the mark.

Of the incidents recorded in Alderley Edge over the last quarter, a small number did result in further action being taken and CCTV footage being successfully used to identify the perpetrators, including: a large fight taking place outside one of our licensed premises, after which the CCTV team were requested by police to get face shots of those involved; CCTV picking up an individual about to leave by car, apparently under the influence of alcohol. The team contacted the police who stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver.

The Parish Council continues to fund the provision of CCTV surveillance in conjunction with Cheshire East Council, to protect the safety of our residents, business owners/workers and their property.

COMMUNITY SURGERY - SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER

I would like to remind residents that I will be holding my regular community surgery this Saturday morning, between 10am and 11am at Alderley Edge Library. Please do come along and join me for a chat if there are any community related issues you would like to discuss.

In line with government restrictions, regrettably I was forced to cancel my face-to-face indoor surgeries during the pandemic; however, in line with the removal of formal restrictions, I have now re-started my surgery on the last Saturday of each month.

I look forward to seeing you this Saturday.

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH - A SPEEDING VEHICLE EVERY MINUTE ON WILMSLOW ROAD

On Thursday 14th October, I joined Parish Councillors Bev Chapman and Karen Robinson along with other local volunteers from our Community Speedwatch Team. On this occasion we were stationed on Wilmslow Road between 2pm and 3pm, during which time we recorded no less than 60 vehicles exceeding the speed threshold (in other words, one speeding vehicle per minute).

The detailed results of our session were as follows:

- 45 vehicles were recorded above the speed threshold, but under 40mph

- 14 vehicles were recorded travelling between 40mph and 50mph

- 1 vehicle was recorded travelling over 50mph (52mph)

Of the number of vehicles recorded speeding, 51 were travelling south along Wilmslow Road towards Alderley Edge village, whereas only 9 vehicles were travelling away from the village towards Wilmslow. The results provide further evidence which will help support my proposals for the introduction of traffic calming measures along Wilmslow Road and in the village centre.

Community Speedwatch is a national campaign and our local volunteers provide a valuable service which is backed by Cheshire Police. As always, the more volunteers we have, the more sessions we will be able to run and inevitably these help to make our roads safer for all users. If you would be interested in giving up an hour a month to support our efforts, do please get in touch.

KNUTSFORD ROAD TO CLOSE FOR CARRIAGEWAY REPAIRS

Residents will recall that the funding Cheshire East Council receives from central government for road maintenance was cut by 23% (£4m) this year; unfortunately but understandably, this has had an impact on Cheshire East Highways' repair programme. Nevertheless, I am delighted to announce that Knutsford Road has been added to the programme and that repairs will take place shortly.

Earlier this summer, carriageway patching works were carried out on Macclesfield Road and the results have been a welcome improvement for all road users (motorists, cyclists and pedestrians). The works to Knutsford Road will begin at the junction with Brook Lane (Alderley Edge), continue through Chorley and on until the Bird in Hand at Mobberley.

While most of the planned works fall outside the Alderley Edge Ward Boundary, I am sure that many residents of the village who travel this route regularly will be pleased to hear the news. I hope they will also share my joy that the mini-roundabout at the junction of Brook Lane and Knutsford Road is to be completely resurfaced and re-marked at the same time.

Due to the extent of the planned works, which are proposed for early November, there will be a nine-day rolling road closure of various sections along Knutsford Road. At the time of writing, I am still waiting for confirmation of the exact dates, but will post these to my blog and share them on social media as soon as I am made aware of them.

Whilst the route will be closed to through traffic, engineers from Cheshire East Highways will do their best to enable access to residential properties and businesses at all times.