On street drinking in Alderley

It was very reassuring to read Inspector Welsted's version of the reported increase in street drinking in the village within one week of Tesco's opening, and thankful that you bothered to look behind the headlines.

The figures of only 7 alcohol related cases reported in A/E in 6 months is probably pleasantly surprising compared to many other areas.

I do confess to being "anti Tesco", but this is based on what I believe to be their unethical methods of product sourcing and their business conduct. I also opposed the granting of their licencing hours, but they should not be unfairly linked to what may be inaccurate headlines in the local paper.

It was interesting to read your editorial which was based on an incomplete article from the Wilmslow express, comments from a newly installed Police Inspector and by your own admission very limited access to the village with your young children during daylight hours.

Alderley Edge is a large village that includes areas outside of London Rd and whilst the main street may not have a problem with on street drinking, other areas do exist that are affected by it

Beech Rd play area is a favourite area for youths to gather and engage in antisocial behaviour, drinking, disturbance and noise etc, Indeed several weeks ago the Police attended to arrest a drunken youth who had forced entrance to a residents garage in the area. The residents have long ago stopped calling the police to report problems as invariably these problems occur in an evening when officers are stretched elsewhere in the area and are unavailable

The Parish Council has proven a valuable ally in pushing matters forward and trying to help the residents, the area was recently updated and improved. Through their liaison with the previous PCSO, who was extremely active in the area and indeed within the village as a whole to thus ensure residents had the opportunity to speak with him and to alert him of problems in their areas.

Likewise the issue was raised in the Express regarding the ease with which premises’ were being licensed and residents concerns and wishes being ignored, in recent years there has been an explosion within the village of bars and restaurants with little or no consultation for people living close to these properties.

When you have lived for a number of years near to a shop or a restaurant that had limited opening hours to suddenly find that an extended license has been granted until 3 am and that wishes of the local residents and the Parish Council were not even considered is somewhat distressing.

A bylaw to outlaw on street drinking (as exists in Wilmslow and Macclesfield) does not interfere with people drinking in licensed premises but gives the Police powers to ensure residents are not blighted by people gathering to drink in car parks, play areas and by their homes.

To read your article it would appear the Parish Council was wrong to propose the Bylaw as the limited information available to you appeared to suggest there is no problem. The Parish Council are a politically elected body who work on behalf of their constituents and I would suggest that maybe the proposed Bylaw was as a result of residents asking for help from their Councillor.

Firstly thanks very much for your comments and providing information as to where the on street drinking is taking place in the village, very interesting and I am sure many of our readers will appreciate you sharing your knowledge about Beech Road play area and the Parish Council's involvement.

The purpose of my article was to ask local residents to share their views and experiences so that more information was available, because as you rightly pointed out the article in the Wilmslow Express lacked information and facts - which only generates concern.

As I stated in my article I was somewhat surprised and concerned by the news that "there has been a marked increased in on-street drinking since the [Tesco] store opened last week." and we know that as a result of the Wilmslow Express article some local residents were worried about street drinking and we had been asked where it was happening in the village.

My article was not trying to imply that proposing a bylaw was wrong it was merely trying to understand why it was required.

My first action was naturally to try and obtain information from the Parish Councillor so I could provide a more complete story to our readers but she chose not to respond to any of my questions.

Whilst Inspector Welsted is newly installed, he does have 14 years experience and was able to provide me with some actual data. As Inspector Welsted himself stated the police officers can only respond to the information that they have, it is acknowledged that their stats don't provide a full picture but they are still of interest when looking at this issue.

Whilst you are correct in stating my editorial was based on an incomplete article in the local paper it's purpose was to try and complete more of the picture - as I had not been able to do this by obtaining information from the Parish Councillor and because we had readers express concern and ask questions, the purpose of my article was to provide some more information and ask our readers, who make up a very significant portion of the local community, for their experiences and thoughts.

It a shame that the Parish Council don't choose to share their opinions and actions via alderleyedge,com because they can do so in their own words by submitting their own articles, without the risk of being edited or having an incomplete story published. It would also provide our readers with information about the work the Parish Council do in the village, which we know many would appreciate as they have told us, and enable two way communication which is surely beneficial to both.

Just one final point, I wasn't saying I have very limited access to the village with my young children during daylight hours, quite the reverse - I am in the village virtually every day. I was saying I don’t get out as much after dark as I would like because I have small children. I also acknowledged that maybe I don’t pass the areas where it is happening and your comment showed this to be correct because I don't live near the Beech Road play area.

Lisa; 'Never apologise, never explain'!

Alderleyedge.com is a wonderful source of up to date information and news (both good and bad) for local people; also an excellent forum for unedited comment. In short, it is a completely democratic vehicle for news, views and as you can see above; clarity and tenacity. Many of us have recommended the site to Alderley Edge Parish Council and whilst they may be visitors why havent they taken that further necessary step in this technologically led age and actually interacted with it.

Doing this would require them to act independently to a certain extent but wouldn't this show the individuality of the various members? Obviously collective discussion and decision making is necessary in getting things done locally but wouldn't peoples' perception and understanding of the Parish Council be altered and improved by such a move.

Communication is the key!