Park is 'now secure' with 2.5 ton blocks

Following last week's incidents which saw a group of travellers set up an illegal encampment in Alderley Edge Park, the Parish Council has worked quickly in order to prevent this from happening again.

This morning (Friday, 26th June) a temporary barrier system has been installed at the Ryleys Lane entrance where the travellers had gained access to the park on Sunday, 21st June, by removing the barrier post with a towing rope.

Councillor Mike Dudley Jones, Chairman of Alderley Edge Parish Council, said "It is now secure. I know that the 2.5 ton orange blocks are not a 'fashion statement' but I hope residents will forgive us. At least we now have time to carefully consider a permanent hard barrier scheme which will fit the horticultural look of the Park for the future."

He added "I would like to say how sorry I am that the village had to put up with the traveller disruption last weekend and earlier in the week. We should have been better prepared but hopefully that lesson has been learnt now and we can move forward."

2.5 ton blocks have also been located in other areas of the park including the entrance off Redesmere Drive and to fill gaps alongside Ryleys Lane.

The blocks have been hired at a cost of £550.00 for the delivery, £283.00 for the blocks plus £189 for the gate. This covers the first 42 days. Thereafter, it is approximately £337.00 per month for the whole system.

Councillor Mike Dudley Jones said "Despite the park 'belonging' to Cheshire East and it being maintained by ANSA, the Parish Council have taken these charges on to our books in the hope that we can reach some other shared arrangement in due course.

"ANSA will be reviewing our Park Security with us. All of the blocks will be removed once a new scheme is devised and we may look to purchasing a gate system that is permanent. This will be financed by Cheshire East or ANSA."

Tags:
Alderley Edge Park
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Craig Browne
Friday 26th June 2020 at 8:22 pm
I would like to say a big thank you to my fellow Parish Councillors and in particular Mike Dudley-Jones, for installing these temporary security measures.

The new barriers will help to protect our park, whilst buying Cheshire East Council the time necessary to consider a long term and more aesthetically pleasing option.

There are currently around 12 separate traveller groups on the move around Cheshire East and therefore the council needs to consider different solutions across a variety of different locations.

It is important to remember however that no security solution is failsafe and that ultimately if the travellers are determined to break in, they will find a way to do just that.

What we have done for now is to try and make our park a more difficult target. I will be in touch with the Cheshire East Property Team over the coming days, to discuss potential longer term options.

Kind regards,
Craig
John Hannah
Friday 26th June 2020 at 8:53 pm
Well done Craig , Mike & the rest of the council ...your hard work is much appreciated
Fraser Pemberton
Saturday 27th June 2020 at 8:06 pm
30 seconds with a Stihl Saw ....
Chris Jones
Saturday 27th June 2020 at 11:15 pm
Craig Browne
Although Mike Dudley-Jones has had these temporary restrictions put in place we shouldn’t forget his initial thoughts to reward violent and criminal damage .
Portable toilets and washing facilities were bang on the agenda. We will make you a site stay as long as you like. Total joke.
During the travellers stay I understand there were at least three assaults one of which was to yourself, together with criminal damage which you witnessed .
How many arrests were made?
Duncan Herald
Sunday 28th June 2020 at 10:01 am
There are only 3 ways to get into the park (if you have a caravan) and the track from the allotments is probably non-caravanable so really only 2 ways in.

Some longish time ago there was a similar problem elsewhere re, travelers and land; a ditch about 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep, was very efficacious and rather cheap.

I believe there are water sources in/around the park; possibly semi-underground, if filling the ditch with water is desirable?

Might that be a possibility?
Mike Dudley-Jones
Sunday 28th June 2020 at 10:42 pm
Chris Jones,

You have suggested that I intended to reward the travellers 'violent and criminal damage' with portable toilets and washing facilities.

Perhaps if you read carefully what I wrote on Sunday 21st June starting with the paragraph that begins "Whether the Police press charges for criminal damage or not ...." you might see that what you chose to write is hopelessly inaccurate.
Fiona Doorbar
Monday 29th June 2020 at 5:24 am
Some sort of ‘ha-ha’ ditch might be a good idea Duncan. The National Trust use them a lot.
Alan Brough
Monday 29th June 2020 at 7:24 am
Craig Brown / Mike Dudley-Jones,

Congratulations on the efficient handling of the difficult situation - both during the period that the Travellers were in residence and afterwards.

No doubt some pretty complex negotiations took place and it ought to be clear to everyone that the provision of "Portaloos" were as much for the benefit of the village-folk as for the Travellers.

Perhaps those that dont understand it might be persuaded to help with the clean-up operation in order to better understand the rather remarkable toileting habits of this group of people!