Parish Council Meeting – Traffic through the Village

The Parish Council (PC) meeting on the 7th July was a significant one, as there was a big turnout of local residents concerned with the amount and speed of traffic through the village as well as Cross Lane and Over Road. A number of residents took the opportunity to speak during the meeting. All had concerns about the amount of traffic now using the village as a ‘cut through’! Some also shared frightening experiences of near misses involving speeding and large vehicles in and around Church Minshull. Some also raised concerns for listed buildings within the village as walls shook when large vehicles passed their homes.
Imposing weight restrictions was also suggested but we have to bear in mind we live in a rural area where we have farm vehicles (including tractors and milk tankers) using local roads as well as HGV’s from local businesses.

Rebecca Posnett (Bunbury Ward Councillor) took a number of questions from attendees and provided information on future council plans on road speed reductions locally. She confirmed that Cheshire East Council has approved, in principle, a reduction of the speed through the village to 20mph and 40mph on approach roads. She pointed out that any reduction in road speed comes with a surprising high cost and will depend on how much the council have in their budget for road improvements and or schemes.
As a relatively new resident of Church Minshull (9 years) my wife and I have noticed the increase in traffic on Over Road in that time, and with one large development of over a 1000 homes already in progress by Leighton Hospital and with the possibility of another 2000 homes in the pipeline nearby the amount in traffic will only increase locally.

Since I have been chairman of the PC we have had little success in getting speed reductions but with so much strong feeling amongst local residents now we surely have a better chance of getting some success.
The PC has formulated a structured plan for such a campaign, this includes petitions, gathering data of near misses, contacting local media, visual deterrents ie procuring a new speed gun, showing resident support and to campaign the local council amongst others.

Of course a bypass would be the best possible scenario for us all but is extremely unlikely to happen in the near future.

Let’s hope attendances at our PC meetings carries on as this alone will show our local councillor the strength of feeling amongst residents and to make speed reductions in and around Church Minshull a priority.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday the 25th of August, please attend if you can to show continued support for our campaign.

Regards,
Mark Smith (chairman) on behalf of Church Minshull Parish Council.