Bypass closure shows "absolute lack of thinking"

So, one week its the bypass thats closed then the following week its the Station Road closure! Lack of thinking but worth it in the long term.

Why couldn't they wait another week and do it during the school hols?

With whom do Cheshire East Highways consult before scheduling a disruptive plan? Do elected councillors, as guardians of public interest and money have a say? If not, why not?


Bob Jones

Another example of the Councils lack of thought.
It seems to me, that so long as the wages/salaries come, the paying public i.e. the council tax payers interests' do not come into thought.
For example a keep left sign by the Unicorn, has passed its one year anniversary, being broken! Are they interested, NO

Hopefully, while the road is closed, there will be an opportunity for all the rubbish strewn along the verges and in the bushes to be removed.

It's an opportunity to remove the litter that blights this road. So much builds up and so little is done from Handforth to AZ. Given the income generated from us all, you would think litter picking would be a simple but small thankyou gesture from CEC. Our Cllrs need to get this actioned, otherwise we will have a further period of disruption.

I am writing this post as the Operations and Membership co-ordinator of “Wilmslow Clean Team”.

See http://wilmslowcleanteam.org.uk

Our members identified this area as one that needed a litter pick and wanted to carry one out, so we contacted all of the Wilmslow Cheshire East Councillors for advice on how to go about this. The following are extracts of the email we sent to them. (with spelling correction … “ “ …).


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Dear CEC Councillors

The Wilmslow Clean Team has identified the verges of the Wilmslow Bypass as one of the areas in Town that could do with a litter pick. But obviously this is a dangerous place to pick due to the number and speed of vehicles on this road.


Do any of you have a contact in the highways department who I can contact to discuss what safety … “procedures” … we need to put in place if we decide to go ahead with a litter pick on this road.
Thanks

Stuart Redgard
Wilmslow Clean Team


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We were advised to contact the Local Highways Officer (name provided) at Cheshire East Highways. So we did and the following are extracts from the response we received.


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In order to carry out such works on the A34 Handforth bypass, a lane closure would be required and this would have to be provided by a specialist traffic management company........

Ansa carry out litter picking for Cheshire East Council …......

When Cheshire East Highways (CEH) arrange traffic management (lane closures) for routine maintenance, Ansa are invited to take advantage of the traffic management, where appropriate, and will attend and carry out their sweeping and litter picking activities at this time.  This arrangement last took place in September ….(2014)....., when we (CEH) had lane closures in place for gully emptying/sign clearance and Ansa carried out sweeping and litter picking in conjunction with the closures.......

Although your intentions are appreciated, I'm afraid that for safety reasons, we (CEH) would not consider it appropriate for members of the Wilmslow Clean Team, to work within a site such as the Handforth Bypass, whilst Highway works were taking place......

Please don't hesitate to contact me again if you feel that I can be of any further assistance.......


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I have therefore contacted the local Highways officer of CE Highways again as follows

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I refer to your previous response about Wilmslow Clean Team carrying out a litter pick on the verges of the A34 Handforth / Wilmslow Bypass.

I see from an article on http://www.wilmslow.co.uk that Cheshire East Highways are planning to close this section of road for works during the period 23rd to 27th March 2015.

http://bit.ly/1D9O70j

Can you confirm if ANSA have been advised of this and if they intend to use this opportunity to carry out litter picking and sweeping works.

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The following response has been received.


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In order to minimise disruption, the closures are actually taking place during the night, 2200 - 0500 hrs. There will be a number of maintenance activities carried out during the closures and I can confirm that Ansa have been invited to carry out their sweeping and litter picking operations.

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It looks like all of the comments on this site and the actions of the Clean Teams will give a successful outcome. i.e. Reduced disruption and potentially cleaner verges.

Hi Stuart, Cheshire East Council monitors the site for coverage of council related issues/news but they haven't informed me of the change so thank you.

It would be helpful if there was a way of contacting ANSA to inform them on a regular basis of where there has been a build up of litter. As I mentioned on an earlier post congragulating Stuart's team there are the remains of a sofa and furniture under the bridge at the Summerfields junction that have been there for months.

Many thanks Stuart - fine job, as ever.

Well done Stuart.

In this instant I am just the mouth piece of a small group of dedicated and passionate people. The "Well Done" goes to all of the clean team members, and supports in word and action.

@Jackie: The Clean Team has a good working relationship with Ansa (Northern Region) and we are in contact with them.

There are three option I suggest you can use.

1) The "Report a Litter HotSpot" facility on the home page of the Wilmslow Clean Team Internet site
http://wilmslowcleanteam.org.uk

We will pass on and then aim to report back on any issues raised.


2) Contact Ansa direct at :

http://bit.ly/1L2Z9ss

3) Contact Cheshire East Council at:

http://bit.ly/1wZPIUk

Jackie, there is no point in the public contacting ANSA when litter is spotted, as ANSA would still have to wait for lane closures for safety reasons. If CE Highways nform ANSA of planned closures (as in this case) the Clean Team volunteers are spared an overnight litter pick.
I add my thanks to the Team for doing a worthwhile, but otherwise thankless job!

Jackie, you can report these things on the Cheshire East website. Click on "waste and recycling" and you will see an option for "report flytipping". Alternatively contact Wilmslow Cleanteam and we will report it for you.

I've just received two emails from CEC's Legal Department regarding this road closure and both say it will take place between 7pm and 5am.

I emailed the communications team yesterday for confirmation following Stuart's post above so hopefully I will receive this shortly.