The much discussed and anticipated parking review for Alderley Edge is apparently underway but Alderley Edge Parish Council are less than enthusiastic.
Councillors Schofield, Lloyd and Williamson met with James Howard, Parking Manager at Cheshire East Council, recently for "an open and frank exchange of views."
At Monday's Parish Council meeting, Councillor Mike Williamson described the parking review as "quite superficial, a date gathering exercise which is not going to produce anything of much real use."
He said "There is no money and almost all the Highway Engineers are either being made redundant or taking early retirement. If the survey is done and produces a plan of action it will be at least 12 months before any work starts.
"They are going to produce a written report 3 months after starting the survey but if we decided for example to change some 1 hour parking spaces to 2 hours it would take 12 months."
Councillor Schofield was of the same opinion saying "My concern is it's a desk study, there's nothing in there to identify the causes of the problems. It's not a survey, it's just keeping people employed for a few months.
"They have no understanding of the issues and no capability. If it's going to happen we'll have to do it by talking to local schools, companies, bars and residents to get an amalgam of what's happening."
Councillor Williamson added "It is not surprising, just depressing really.
"There is no point trying to do a parking review if we're not going to change the junctions and priorities of traffic in the village at the same time. For example, if we are going to change the Macclesfield Road junction it has huge implications on street parking in the area."
The review has been welcomed by residents of Lydiat Lane, Carlisle Street and Clifton Street who are hoping it will result in the introduction of residential parking schemes to put an end to "the blight of all day and in some cases all night and holiday parking" which is causing them huge problems.
Local traders have also requested a full review of the parking restrictions in Alderley Edge village.
Heather Wienholt, who wrote to Alderley Edge Parish Council and Cheshire East Council on behalf of village traders, said "The present parking arrangements have been in place for decades and we feel they no longer reflect the needs of today's businesses and people's shopping habits within the village.
"Each person who comes to the village and cannot park is a customer lost for one or more of us. Each person who gets a ticket is another customer who will think twice about coming to the village, another customer lost."
The Parish Council decided at this week's meeting that they would "go to the top" and contact Phil Sherratt, Head of Environmental Services at Cheshire East, to arrange a meeting. The Parish Council will also be requesting a copy of the latest reports and surveys from other areas so "they can see what's coming down the tracks."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Since the bypass has opened the village is a lot quieter and traffic can get in and out of the junctions with no problem at all. Parking seems to be the big issue, so if the local councillors want to get re elected, maybe parking should be on the top of their agenda for both the residents in the streets effected and the local businesses.
I have seen 8 cars drive down Clifton Street the wrong way. This is an accident waiting to happen.
Thoughts everyone?
When there is no Public Consultation. A survey to address all parking issues must include consultation, or else it has no purpose.
Why only now have the Parish Coucil discovered the "depressing" content of the review?
If the intention is to discuss with local schools, companies, bars [?] etc & lastly residents, what have traders & residents been been doing, apart from discussing & presenting their concerns?
A Public Meeting to clarify priorities would seem essential.