An overgrown footpath has made it very difficult for wheelchair users and those pushing a pram or buggy to access the cemetery from the village.
We've received a number of complaints from local residents that the footpath alongside Ryleys Lane, leading out to the cemetery, has been overgrown for years.
Diana Bullock said "The area in question is more or less opposite Chorley Hall Lane. If you walk along there, you will see that the path is not good and in no way could someone be taken along there in a wheelchair.
"I have complained about the path ever since my parents died, which is over ten years ago. My parents, grandparents and great grandparents are all buried at the cemetery, so I often walk along there."
Diana wrote to Cheshire East Council to complain about the state of the footpath in January.
In February she received a response saying "I am aware that this path gets overgrown by the adjacent hedge and the grass verge and we have taken action in the past to get it cleared. I have asked the Local Highways Officer to have a look at this and to act as necessary. However, we are currently concentrating most of our resources on dealing with the effects of the winter weather, repairing potholes, clearing floods, gritting, etc., so it could be a while before we are able to carry out any work".
Harold Adshead, 72, takes an early morning walk in the area every weekend and recently whilst walking after a wet night he slipped onto overgrown grass verges growing across the pavement.
Mr Adshead said "I didn't hurt myself but as I lay there I realised I was half way into the road as the pathway is so narrow and dangerous for pedestrians. As for the excuse that funds are necessary for repairing roads after the winter, surely, that is a poor excuse. I would like to walk to the cemetery taking my mother in law in her wheelchair but that is totally impossible."
Cllr Melanie Connor, of Alderley Edge Parish Council, said "I totally agree with the complaints. The footpath has always been poor and CEC seem to have allowed it to go down hill.
"It should have been part of the works to 'put right' when the bypass bridge was built but it wasn't. Plus the hedging needs cutting back and a good litter pick carried out.
"Many residents choose to walk to the cemetery and because of the pavement in certain stretches it is a dangerous walk.
"It is not helped by the speed that some cars enter the village at either and I am requesting that the SID machine is put there to do some recordings."
I contacted Cheshire East Council to let them know that we have received a number of complaints about the state of this particular stretch of footpath and asked for a comment.
A Cheshire East Council spokesman said: "Cheshire East Council continually monitors footpaths for safe accessibility.
"In this particular case we have received complaints that the footpath is overgrown and that has prompted us to take urgent action.
"We have contacted the landowner to request that the hedge is cut back to the official boundary so that people can pass with ease.
"The footpath is also currently being cleared following a deluge of rain which has caused vegetation to accelerate in growth.
"We would actively encourage our residents to continue to report any footpaths that are difficult to pass, especially where they present a problem to the elderly and infirm."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Also, in regard to the point about cars travelling too fast / the SID machine / general road safety. Can something be done to re-think the (to me) crazy idea of those large, seven foot high rectangular structures that have no purpose other than to carry a 30 mph sign and which act as a perfect screen to prevent pedestrians from seeing approaching traffic and drivers from seeing pedestrians attempting to cross the road. Those close to the junction with Chorley Hall Lane are dangerous enough, but those at the brow of the hill on Macclesfield Road, where a well used public footpath onto The Edge crosses Macclesfield Road are lethal!
I have heard nothing and there has been no action. The roads and pathways in the village are a disgrace!
Probably better to get a group of volunteers to do the work ourselves.... providing, of course, that we can get the appropriate CRB checks and Health & Safety risk assessments carried out -those thorns and nettles can be an absolute beggar!
it was 4, as that was the number most concerned with the cemetery's condition; not machination (defined in my dictionary as 'to plot... to scheme to do harm'.
We don't only want to deal with the footpath, we'd rather have a go at CE to get as much as possible put right; the whole cemetery is (imho) dowdy, run down and un-cared-for.
I agree whole-heartedly with you that a 'Friends of A.E. Cemetery' is a fine idea BUT the amount of initial work needed in the cemetery is (I think) too much for a volunteer group... for example, getting the tombstones back up and repaired might need 'heavy equipment' ? and putting the gatehouse in order is somewhat of a major job ?
My own view is that if we can get CE to 'get stuck in' then a volunteer group might be able to significantly maintain the place afterwards. What do you think?
I've already completed the first draft of a report re. our visit of yesterday but my colleagues may wish to add to/alter/improve it. Hopefully there may be a chance to discuss the matter at the next P.C. meeting (time is a tad short perhaps).
Agree wholeheartedly that Cheshire East should be held responsible for the state of the cemetery, and like the condition of the pathways it is neglected. It needs a complete overhaul. However, I am sure there will be no shortage of volunteers to help once the work is completed.
It is a shame that the cemetery lodge is no longer occupied. It therefore has lacked the previous "tlc" it once had. This is a separate issue, with information of the Council's intentions and plans to maintain this to a reasonable standard, being needed.
As to occupancy of the Gatehouse; it is in a parlous state...can it be brought back to an habitable state? i do not know...any property people out there who might care to vouchsafe an opinion? or a costing?
Difficult to find who might be suitable to occupy a house so close to a cemetery isn't it?
Hi Marina... No shortage of volunteers? I do not think that getting together a group such as is envisaged is a function of the Parish Council; if you read some of the comments, you'll know that we are too busy plotting and conniving! Seriously,do not such people coalesce 'organically'? Would one of you guys take on the possibly onerous task? I'd be the first to applaud and support your public duty!
Footpath and cemetery? Why impove a footpath to a cemetery if the cemetery is hopeless? Why improve a cemetery if the footpath to it is hopeless? The two go together?
As I said earlier, we'll have a go, but please remember that it is CEC that have ownership and money and power; tell your borough councilor that you want something done; you elect them and if you are unhappy you can throw them out next time around!
I visit the cemetery on a reasonably regular basis and dont feel that it is in a particularly poor state - certainly not "hopeless". It is generally well tended and apart from the sad fact that some of the gravestones have been lowered, it is generally a quiet and peaceful place.
The footpath, on the other hand, IS hopeless and it is not just there to serve the cemetery, it actually forms part of some well used walking routes.
The policy of 'dropping' tombstones was an MBC policy but the CEC policy is to re-errect them (I have been told). So let then get on with it!
Paths covered in moss, path and main avenue surfaces crumbling in places, planters empty, workmens stuff just lying arouund at the west side, rabbit holes where people may walk etc. For me a cemetery is a place where respect should be shown to departed loved ones and as such should be at least well tended, if not spick and span. You see it as 'generally well tended' and I don't; an honest difference of opinion? Quiet and peaceful, I agree with you.
If CEC can find huge amounts of money to spent on Macc. Town Hall and the offices in there, then they should jolly well find a comparative pittance for our cemetery?
The state of the footpath, to the cemetery is included in our report (narrow, overgrown etc.) and hopefully we can get CE out to inspect and then do something to improve.
Duncan