POETRY GROUP STARTS AT ALDERLEY EDGE LIBRARY

Starting on Tuesday 14th May, residents are encouraged to come along to the library and join a poetry group, which is being run by local volunteer Lesley Marsh. This is a new group, which will meet from 3pm to 4pm on Tuesday 14th May, with further meetings planned on 9th July and 10th September. I hope to shortly give details of a Craft Club, as well as a Conversational Spanish class which will also be starting at the library on Tuesday afternoons. Whilst the library is being run by volunteers on a Tuesday afternoon, under the auspices of the Parish Council, we have the freedom and flexibility to arrange a variety of different activities. If anyone has any further ideas for activities they would like to run, please do get in touch.

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH - WILMSLOW ROAD

On Thursday 11th April I joined local residents and volunteers from our Community Speedwatch team on Wilmslow Road (near to Harden Park). On this occasion, we were also joined by our PCSO, Anna Jenkinson. During the course of one hour (11am- 12noon) we recorded no fewer than 59 vehicles exceeding the speed threshold, with an average speed of 38mph. The results in full were:

- 46 vehicles exceeding the speed threshold, but under 40mph
- 13 vehicles exceeding the speed threshold, above 40mph
- highest recorded speed was 48mph
- the speed limit at this location is 30mph

The figures show that there is still a clear need for increased awareness at this location. To that end, we will shortly be getting some red-coloured textured road surfacing on Wilmslow Road, as well as some "30" roundels marked on the road surface. Also, once the development of the County Hotel is complete, a pedestrian island will be installed close to the junction with Harden Park.

NEXT COMMUNITY SURGERY - SATURDAY 30TH MARCH

I am pleased to confirm that my next drop-in surgery will be held this Saturday (30th March) at Alderley Edge Library, between 10-11am. Do please call in for a cuppa and a chat about any local issues that may be causing you concern.

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH - RYLEYS LANE

On Thursday 21st March I joined local residents and volunteers from our Community Speedwatch team, on Ryleys Lane. On this occasion, we recorded a total of 27 vehicles exceeding the speed threshold, of which ten were travelling in excess of 40 mph. The top speed recorded was 47 mph, whilst the average speed was 39 mph (the speed limit at this location is 30 mph).

Our next session will be held on Thursday 11th April and as always, the team would be very grateful for any new volunteers to come along and join us. Any local residents who are interested, should send me an email (craig.browne@cheshireeast.gov.uk) in the first instance.

MOTTRAM ROAD SCHEME FUNDING APPROVED

Last Thursday I chaired a meeting of the Wilmslow Area Highways Group, which covers Alderley Edge, Wilmslow & Handforth. I am very pleased to confirm that I was able to secure funding of £6,000 from the Group's £21,835 annual budget to fund the implementation of a new scheme for Mottram Road (this was in response to requests from residents, going back to 2016).

The scheme will see the creation of an additional six or seven long-stay parking bays on Mottram Road (in the area shown on the attached photograph), whilst the double yellow lines on the cricket field side of Mottram Road will be extended to prevent obstructive double parking, as well as providing some additional protection to the grass verge.

I am pleased to have secured the funding for this project, which I know residents have been waiting a long time for. The scheme will be implemented during the course of the 2019/20 financial year, although at this stage I cannot give an exact date. I am pleased that the funding will also enable some historic issues with the parking bays on Trafford Road and Stevens Street to be addressed.

DROPPED KERBS & FOOTPATH IMPROVEMENTS

I am delighted to confirm that dropped kerbs are shortly to be installed at the bottom of Macclesfield Road. This work is being funded through the Area Highways Group and was approved some months ago; however, there were some issues with the power cabling to a nearby streetlamp which had been causing a delay to the project. Now that the issues with the power cabling have been addressed, the work should be carried out shortly. I'm also pleased to confirm that at the same time, the uneven flags across the island at the junction of Macclesfield Road will be removed and the footpath resurfaced.