Plans to rename Wilmslow Bypass after local Olympic and Paralympic heroes

by Lisa Reeves

Friday 9^th November 2012

Fri 9^th Nov 2012

Cheshire East Council are proposing to name sections of the A34 Wilmslow-Handforth Bypass after local Olympians and Paralympians medal winners.

In recognition of their achievements at the recent games, the Council are suggesting that five sections of the bypass be re-named as follows:

Section 1 from Harden Park roundabout to Thorngrove roundabout: Victoria Pendleton Way.
Section 2 from Thorngrove roundabout to Bollin Valley roundabout: Niki Birrell Way.
Section 3 from Bollin Valley roundabout to Dean Row roundabout: Craig MacLean Way.
Section 4 from Dean Row roundabout to Handforth Dean retail site roundabout: Barney Storey Way.
Section 5 from Handforth Dean roundabout to A555 roundabout at the Stockport boundary: Sarah Storey Way.

Cheshire East are currently gathering the views of various internal and external bodies, including the ward councillors, Alderley Edge Parish Council and Wilmslow Town Council regarding the proposed new street names.

Cyclist Victoria Pendleton, who lives in Wilmslow, won a gold medal in the keirin and silver medal in the sprint final at the London Olympics.

Niki Birrell, a 26-year-old sailor from High Legh, won a bronze medal at the Paralympics when he competed alongside Alex Rickman in the Skud 18 class.

Wilmslow resident Craig MacLean won his gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympics with his cycling partner Anthony Kappes. Craig was pilot in the men's tandem sprint for the blind and visually impaired.

Cyclists Barney and Sarah Storey, who live in Disley, both triumphed at this year's Paralympic Games. Sarah won four gold medals from four events to become Great Britain's most celebrated Paralympian of all time with a total of 11 gold medals, eight silver medals and three bronze medals. Barney claimed a gold and silver in London to add to his double gold at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.

This initial consultation period ends today, Friday 9th November.

Photo: Victoria Pendleton visiting Wilmslow High School.

Tags:: Cheshire East Council, Olympics, Paralympics

Comments

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

Sarah Lane

Friday 9^th November 2012 at 4:09 pm

Not keen on this idea at all. Far to many names to remember. Some things are best left alone. We all still refer to it as the 'New Road'......it's kind of not new anymore is it. :)

Mike Barry

Saturday 10^th November 2012 at 7:27 pm

Great idea! How about Pendleton Highway, The Pendleton Peloton (sorry), The Gold Road (to recognise others also), etc. There must be so many options. But how great to recognise excellence and whilst Victoria isn't, in my opinion, in the same league as Alan Turing, she is an achiever and so many younger people may be more inspired by her.

Frank Keegan

Sunday 11^th November 2012 at 6:36 pm

I think the recognition of achievement is a first class move. We want our Olympians and Paralympians to do well, and, personally, I think if this move spurs on even one of our aspiring young talent then I am in favour.

Vince Chadwick

Sunday 11^th November 2012 at 10:17 pm

Surely, without wishing to decry the achievements of these Olympians, a prime candidate for having a major local road named after him is Wilmslow's most famous former resident, Alan Turing. His codebreaking inventions shortened WW2 considerably, saving many lives. And perhaps even more significantly he was largely responsible for the development of the first stored programme computer, a technology which has without doubt brought about the biggest improvements for almost everyone in just about every aspect of life.

David Hadfield

Monday 19^th November 2012 at 6:01 pm

Congratulations to these Olympians & Para-Olympians.
However, let's just refer to the by-pass as "The By-Pass", eh ?
No doubt the Council have loads of money to spend (namely, ours)! and they'll be paying thousands of pounds to designers, artists, consultants, etc, to create and erect the signposts ?
Yet another waste of time and money by our illustrious Councillors.
I despair.