SOUTH STREET SHARED SPACE PARKING SCHEME

Cheshire East Council has introduced a "Shared Space Parking Scheme" on South Street, close to the centre of Alderley Edge, in response to concerns expressed by a number of nearby residents. As a result of the scheme, businesses and visitors to South Street will continue to be able to park in the limited waiting on-street bays for up to two hours; however, residents of South Street who are in possession of a valid permit will be able to park without restriction.

A number of residents had contacted me to ask whether I could help, as none of them has access to any private off-road parking. Following a consultation of all residents and businesses on South Street, it was decided to introduce a "shared space" scheme, which I have funded through my 2022/23 Ward Member Budget. I am particularly pleased that as part of the scheme we have been able to create one or two additional parking spaces on South Street and George Street, to support the nearby businesses.

A key distinction between this scheme and the "Residents' Parking Scheme" introduced in Clifton Street, Lydiat Lane & Carlisle Street a few years ago (prior to my election in 2015) is that non-residents of South Street will continue to be able to use the on-street bays for up to two hours.

Acoustic Camera Pilot to be Extended

Residents will recall that in October 2022, acoustic cameras were installed on Pendleton Way, Alderley Edge, on the approach to the Whitehall Bridge Roundabout. This was part of a pilot initiative supported by the Police & Crime Commissioner and Cheshire East Highways.

Whilst there are no legal limits on vehicle noise, vehicles are manufactured not to exceed 84dB (for cars) and 86dB (for motorcycles) unless illegal modifications are made. I can now reveal that over the period from 1st October to 31st December 2022, there were 239 breaches at this location.

Following the success of the initial pilot, the scheme is now being extended by a further three months, during which time Cheshire East Council, working together with Cheshire Police and other members of the Road Safety Partnership, will give consideration to introducing a Public Space Protection Order.

A Public Space Protection Order enables breaches of these noise limits to be legally enforced across a clearly defined geographic area, with fines of up to £100 for a first offence and up to £1,000 for a second or subsequent offence capable of being issued.

In addition, a 20mph zone with associated traffic calming measures has recently been introduced in Alderley Edge village centre. Associated with this project, large scale road resurfacing has been carried out on London Road and Ryleys Lane, taking advantage of the road closures and permits that were in place.

IMPLEMENTATION OF 20MPH ZONE W/C MONDAY 23RD JANUARY

I am delighted to share the news that the implementation of this project will begin on 23rd January. This follows several rounds of public consultation, during which the vast majority of residents, as well as all three village schools, the Parish Council and Cheshire Police have endorsed the proposals. Whilst there will inevitably be some inconvenience as the speed tables are being constructed, Cheshire East Highways will do its utmost to minimise this, for example by carrying out the works on Ryleys Lane during the February half-term. I believe this is an important project, which will not only help improve road safety around our local schools, but also contribute to a calmer and more pleasant environment in the centre of our village.

The majority of the works will be possible using traffic signals; however, temporary road closures will need to be in place at certain times. Over the course of the next few days, Cheshire East Highways will be engaging directly with directly affected residents and businesses, to make them aware. The works will necessitate the installation of a new drainage connection on London Road, close to the junction with Brown Street and depending upon the nature of the connection, is seen as the key risk to the timescale outlined. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the project is being financed through Section 106 funds, which have been raised on historic developments within Alderley Edge, rather than from the Council's capital/revenue budgets.

A detailed Schedule of Works is set out below:

• 23/01 – 30/01 (6 days)
• 20mph signage works across whole scheme, signs will be covered over until completion and removed once the legal order is sealed.
• Traffic management - stop and go boards

• 30/01 – 08/02 (10 days)
• London Road near junction with Heyes Lane to construct raised table at crossing point.
• Traffic management – temporary traffic signals
• NB - access/egress at steps leading to/from Waitrose Car Park will be closed during this period

• 08/02 – 17/02 (10 days)
• London Road near junction with Brown Street to construct raised table at crossing point
• Traffic management – temporary traffic signals 

• 11/12 – 12/02 (2 days)
• London Road laying final surface layer on raised table, resurfacing approaches and install speed table on Congleton Road outside De Trafford Arms and road lining at new traffic calming features
• Traffic Management - road closure

• 18/12 – 26/02 (9 days) SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
• Ryleys Lane installing two raised tables including one close to Alderley Edge Primary School, the other outside The Ryleys School, resurfacing approaches and road lining at new traffic calming features
• Traffic management – road closure

• 27/02 – 28/02
• Wilmslow Road outside Alderley Edge School for Girls, installing pair of bolt down speed cushions
• Traffic management – temporary traffic signals off-peak (after school has opened)

If the programme goes well then every effort will be made to include the works outside Alderley Edge School for Girls during the school holidays.

 

PENDLETON WAY - ROUTE SAFETY REVIEW PLANNED

I am pleased to report that Cheshire East Highways are currently carrying out a route safety review on the A34, from the junction with Wilmslow Road (Pendleton Way) to Handforth Dean (Ainslie Way). As part of the review, officers will be taking into account a range of information, including:

(i) Recorded Personal Injury Collision Data (provided by Cheshire Constabulary)

(ii) Speed Data and Traffic Flow data from Tracsis surveys (carried out in 2022by CE Highways)

(iii) Carriageway condition data provided by Cheshire East Assets Team

The aim of the review is to highlight any particular sections of road safety concern along the route and to suggest potential mitigation measures that could be implemented to resolve those issues. A report will then be used to justify mitigation measures, subject to obtaining the required funding. 

A number of other routes and locations are currently being reviewed within Cheshire East.

20 MPH ZONE FINAL DESIGNS PUBLISHED

Following the recent installation of acoustic cameras on Pendleton Way, a number of residents have contacted me to seek an update on the implementation of the 20mph zone in the village centre.

I am pleased to report that I have now received the detailed designs for the scheme, which includes the installation of six speed tables at the following locations: at the pelican crossing outside Alderley Edge School for Girls, at the pelican crossing near “Running Bear” on London Road, at the pelican crossing between Stevens Street & Brown Street on London Road, adjacent to the de Trafford Arms on Congleton Road, at the pelican crossing near Alderley Edge Community Primary School on Ryleys Lane and near the entrance to The Ryleys School.

In addition, red textured road surfacing will be added with 20mph roundels painted on the road surface at the railway bridge on Wilmslow Road/London Road, as well as on Congleton Road on the approach to the junction with Beechfield Road. Cheshire East Highways will shortly be applying to Cheshire East Council for a road closure permit, which must be advertised for 12 weeks prior to the scheme's implementation. 

The scheme itself is estimated to take four weeks to implement, with the installation estimated for early February 2023. The scheme is being funded through s.106 contributions raised on historic developments in Alderley Edge, rather than through Council Tax; As a reminder, s.106 funds may only be spent on new or upgraded infrastructure and cannot be used to fund routine maintenance.

CHELFORD ROAD CLOSURE IN PLACE FOR SIX WEEKS

As residents may have noticed, Chelford Road is currently closed from the junction with Chorley Hall Lane (Alderley Edge) to the junction with Foden Lane (Chorley). The closure is expected to be in place for up to six weeks and will enable essential works to be carried out to the culvert outside Tanyard Farm.

Tanyard (Smokers Brook) is a mortared masonry arch culvert. An inspection carried out in November 2020 showed that the structure had deteriorated since the last inspection in 2018 with the north elevation, where the arch ring had separated to greater than 25mm, also a large longitudinal fracture was identified. The inspection also highlighted a lack of mortar in the joints throughout the arch barrel.

The works involve taking down the northern headwall (including 1m of the arch) and rebuilding, repointing the southern headwall and entire arch barrel. Whilst the road closure is in place, Cheshire East Highways' maintenance team will be removing the build-up of debris that has accumulated on the footway, to ensure the full width can be used. The works are estimated to be complete within six weeks.