Will a cyclist have to die, or be seriously injured, before the Council acts? From events over the last year it is absolutely clear that double yellow lines are required along Alderley Road, from the Fulshaw Cross roundabout to Victoria Road.
Prior to the construction of the apartments on the Remenham site, adjacent to the roundabout, there was never any parking along this stretch of road. The builders' vans set a precedent and now, on a daily basis, the footpath is partially obstructed by parked cars between the roundabout and Chapel Lane.
I have seen a lady with a double buggy forced to walk out into the roadway, in the traffic, because she could not get through on the obstructed footpath. I have also seen the bus having extreme difficulty turning out of Chapel Lane, having to swing perilously close to the footpath on the other side of Alderley Road. There is a pedestrian crossing point here, with a central refuge, used by hundreds of High School students every weekday; drivers on Alderley Road often cannot see clearly because of parked cars.
Parking has now extended on a daily basis from Chapel Lane to Victoria Road, opposite the Coach and Four. Last week I saw a cyclist have to perform an emergency stop and dismount into the bus stop layby, shown in the photo, because a United Utilities tanker was coming through, completely filling the 'wrong' half of the road. The photograph was taken this morning; later in the morning the queue of vehicles stretched right onto the roundabout, as a large tractor and trailer was struggling to get through.
I have contacted the police a couple of times and they say that they have cautioned drivers who obstruct the footpath and that, as there are no yellow lines, the parking wardens could not act because there were no parking restrictions! They suggested that Cheshire East Council should be contacted to get some lines put in place.
Out of interest I thought that I would see what the two ward councillors said, on this website, when they made their pre-election statements:
Ellie Brooks, Monday 20th April 2015 - "When asked about the important issues facing Wilmslow, Ellie said "Gary (Barton) and I have been canvassing for some months and we have noted the issues raised on the doorstep. Parking, road safety and the need to find sensible solutions". She continued "I will be campaigning for lower charges at underused car parks, and the extension of the Broadway Meadow car park, and I will work with CEC for improve pavements and continuing road improvements. I will also work with residents, the town council and with Gary to preserve the character of Wilmslow. I will always look for ways to improve what we already have and listen to concerns of residents and work with them."
Gary Barton, Saturday 18th April 2015 - "I (reporter) asked Gary what he considered to be the important issues facing Wilmslow. He replied "Parking and road safety are major challenges for Wilmslow. We need to find parking solutions that support local traders and that prevent our local streets from being clogged up by all-day commuter parkers. We also need to find new ways to reduce speeds on certain local roads. I want to see continued road and pavement improvements." He continued "I will campaign for an extension to the Broadway Meadow car park near the leisure centre and for a reduction in parking charges at the under-utilised Spring Street car park."
Given that the next election is looming, there is some food for thought in those words.
Any other views out there?
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Gone are the days of commonsense, moralistic, "I shouldn't park there as it may cause others issues"..
It may well have been trades/builders working on developments that started the parking but as far as i can gather now it is in actual fact wilmslow workers' cars in the main who are parking on this section of Alderley Road.
Without doubt there is a daily threat to safety here not to mention the big tailbacks being caused when oversized buses, trucks and tractors try and squeeze their way through, in many instances forcefully.
The Wardens say they can't enforce as there are no parking restrictions, the Police say contact the council, and Cheshire East say contact your local councillors.. the huge caveat, i have been warned, is that it is a "very lengthy" process.. oh what a surprise!
I think as many people as possible should keep phoning the Council and the Police about this particular selfish and dangerous parking spot.
Local residents complained, and within weeks the affected stretch of road received double-yellow lines and the obstructive parking problem was resolved.
So it CAN be done!
There is a CEC Safety Officer who can come out and see what’s happening.
Suggest that we get our Cllrs to get on with it.
Given the fact that the stretch of road in question is heavily used (crossed) by children attending the High School and the elderly residents of the several retirement homes in the vicinity, everything possible should be done to ensure that drivers have a clear and unimpeded view of the road.
Like Janet A Taylor (above) I have used the CE website to report the issue (ref 3335112)
Also, in a nod to Vince Chadwicks comment, Alderley Edge's Independent Councillor Craig Browne has been very effective in getting similar issues sorted out in relatively short order - not only that but he keeps AE residents fully informed on progress via his Facebook page and blogs. So, (as Vince says) it CAN be done!
I have today spoken to one of the Wilmslow West ward councillors, Cllr Ellie Brooks, about the continuous & unacceptable obstruction to Alderley Road by out of town greedy, unthinking, lazy parkers. Some vehicles are seen parked along this stretch every day, all day long from before 9 a.m.
For 40+ years there was a unwritten acknowledgement by visitors, office workers, shoppers etc, that that stretch of road be kept clear and without any enforcement. Good sense, community understanding, individual responsibility prevailed until about 20 months ago. Now a new bread of uncaring, unthinking, lazy & greedy, out of town in the main, greedy parkers have "invaded" the town centre.
I have today written to Ellie, Cllr Garry Barton and a separate note to the council Leader emphasising RoWs and the town's people's increasing annoyance at this daily obstruction.
Enough of sitting on hands, as all too often practiced by Highways planning apparatchiks. Now is the time for action and a positive, practical solution
l've suggested to Cllr Bailey that she instigates a "temporary" or "emergency" parking restriction order be introduced without further delay. This will give the council time to go through the legal process to unveil a legally compliant restrictive order. We need it now, not in six, twelve or 18 months as has been quoted by Highways.
NOW, carpe diem!
"Thank you for your email.
I visit the site frequently and we all find the inconsiderate parking situation in Alderley Road unacceptable.
We have been in liaison with the police for months as obstruction is a police matter but they have many other calls upon their time.
Next week I will be able to give some information on a stop-gap solution with hopefully the outline of medium term and long term measures."
Regards
Cllr Rod Menlove
_____________
No response as yet received from Cllr Barton or Cllr Brooks.
"I am aware of parking issues along Buckingham Road – as, indeed, I am across the majority of roads in Wilmslow. The issue lies with there being insufficient parking in the town, which it is the responsibility of Cheshire East Council to solve. In terms of solely Buckingham Road, parking restrictions such as yellow lines could also be put in place. I would advise you to persist in making Cheshire East Council and your local borough councillor aware of your concerns."
And so it goes round and round, the merry dance we are lead on. Everyone passing the buck! I completely agree this needs a proper plan, not a stop gap. I did suggest some sort of park and ride scheme to Gary... The Wilmslow Neighbourhood plan is out now, does this go far enough to deal with the ever increasing requirement? Although, I wonder if Cheshire East will take notice to this as it's 2018 now and the comments in the article were from 2015. 3 years and the problem is still getting worse as all that has been done is to put parking restrictions on the roads nearest the centre. All that has achived is to push the problem further out. This was not a solution. I also don't think the commuters are to completely to blame (yes some of the parking is completely inconsiderate) as they are desperate for affordable parking provision. The council rakes in the the taxes from the businesses and residents of Wilmslow, but is failing to address one of the major gripes of the residents. I know this article was for Alderley Road, but parking in general in Wilmslow needs urgent action now.
Well I know who I Won't be voting for in the next election.
Yes, obstruction of the Highway is a Police matter for action. The rel new Wilmslow Police Superintendent made promises to WTC back in June of certain action, which is not yet evident.
CEC should prevent parking within 15(?) metres of any junction, (as per Highway code) by installing DYLs. It would cause some parking displacement, which can be considered later.
Parking provision and enforcement are both pretty woeful in Wilmslow, to my observation. Clearly provision for all-day parking for workers is difficult, as Fiona Doorbar observes. But it's one thing to come up with rules and regulations, but without effective enforcement it's a bit of a futile exercise. If parking on Alderley Road is now "banned", will the parkers move back to the side streets again and take occasional tickets in their stride?
The people I have seen depositing their cars and scurrying off have not been construction workers, in the main, they have been dressed for the office. Many of the same cars are there day after day.
Interestingly there has been no response, on any of the social media outlets from the two Ward Councillors, a reported comment from the Ward Councillor for the opposite side of the road and, as ever, the Cabinet Member with responsibility here (who has addresses in both Alderley and Wilmslow and therefore must be aware of the issue) remains resolutely silent.
Please do report the issue on the CEC Highways web page. Thanks.
Hopefully some progress can be made to end this potentially dangerous situation.
This week I have raised a matter with Independent Cllr Toni Fox, who swiftly and expeditiously dealt with the issue. Perhaps the partisan lemmings could learn a thing here in the value of engaging with the electorate, a matter they clearly don’t or won’t practice without LGM guidance.... And when the issue of a new muli storey for the town is made a CEC flagship announcement... remember its not news... as it was suggested and ignored years ago.... but with months o the election, its grasping at straws..
From the highway code
Rule 145:
You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.
Rule 244:
You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.
One rule for London and one for the rest of the country. However, rule 145 trumps rule 244 as it has a MUST NOT. Unfortunately, the offence needs to be witnessed, etc. for a prosecution even though the vehicle was unlikely to be pushed or lifted by a crane onto the pavement.
The bottom line is that with or without enforcement, some drivers are lazy / want to park for free, and do not care about rules and / or the safety of pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers.
All new office developments should require the developer and occupying company to fund parking space. As it stands, Wilmslow is full to capacity.
When I contact the police they pass the problem to East Cheshir Council who in turn pass back to the police.I am told procedures have to be followed, then these procedures should be changed - How long does it take to paint double yellow lines and introduce parking limits on many of the other roads affected - why do we have "Parking" wardens they should be given additional powers.
When I spoke to the police last week I was told he couldn' seet that any danger existed when asked was he familier with the road he said "I dont, as I dont live in Wilmslow"
Our MP Esther McVey is doing all she can, but should be dealing with more important measures.
Who is responsible at East Cheshire Council, it should be the Chief Executive and quite clearly he is not doing his job.
OK - we know that there has been misappropriation of OUR money and that several council officers are - and have been under investigation.
We also know they have little or no interest in providing us with a value for money Council Tax and this has been the case for several years. They take stupid decisions about where and when multiple roadworks should take place without even joining the dots to take into account the impact on the folk paying their extortionate salaries.
So - what would I like to happen to resolve these - and other issues?
WE ALL STOP PAYING OUR COUNCIL TAX!!
They’re clearly not using our money in a competent, fair and just fashion and - as such - in my simple mind - that is tantamount to daylight robbery (which any of us would be locked up for).
I can’t think of any other way we, the residents, can get CEC to behave in an honest, professional and proactive manner.
Oops! Have to go - just fell off my soapbox!
Royal London have tried repeatedly to provide more parking for their employees but those living nearby fight them every time.
The town needs a park and ride scheme somewhere on the by-pass that is convenient and cheap, so commuters don't need to drive into town. That's the long-term solution. This would cost of course but funding new or extending our existing car parks would be expensive too and would merely encourage commuters to drive into town thus exacerbating the congestion problem.
In the meantime let us all keep pressure on CEC by posting complaints on their website.
RoW has attempted over the past two years to have a resolution to Wilmslow's vexatious problem; promised parking surveys three times during this period, two were not instigated. Now we are told that a third survey is going to take place. But when? And, when will results be implemented?
In fact a solution needs to be instigated without any further prevarication. Ro has suggested various solutions over the past years - resident parking permits, restrictive parking times (max stay 1 to 2 hrs), variegated short parking periods (say 10 a.m to 12 noon & then 3 p,m, to 4.30 p.m for example), more car parks, park & ride etc.
We hear that all solutions cost money or the Council doesn't have the money. Where have we heard all this before, meanwhile numerous officers have been sent on full pay 'garden tending'. There is money but CEC must learn to stop wasting it.
Another factor is that CEC has targeted more businesses to open here but not insisted on employers providing & financing parking.
Time to get to grips CEC NOW.
Does someone have to be seriously injured before action is taken?
If you are doing something- why not tell us publicly? This lack of information reflects very badly on you.
How much money was collected at the High School gate during the quick fix? Was someone paid to collect it? Did the receipts pay for this person(s)?
The dangerous parking continued, even at weekends and on the Bank Holiday.
Any response, CEC Cllrs?
Or maybe the £1Million plus spend with LGM spin doctors has placed all key decision making and public engagement with them and their personal CEC financier. ? ( NB Books not signed off for 3 years by auditors.. so why are they being paid to do the councils job ? )
This needs a simple, none partisan, evidenced based approach; Here’s the problem, and after effective validation and capability assessment , Here’s a)The short term or b)The long term fix… simple ! ( Or you’d like to think ! )
Merge the two halves of this small county ASAP , rid ourselves from this Orwellian regime that ignores its residents and treats them with similar disdain to its own workforce.
Todays headline tells us that CE Council have now done an about-turn and decided that nuisance parking WILL be addressed. They intend to take steps to clamp down on nuisance parking with Wilmslow given priority due to a high number of complaints.
Excellent you might think, but read on:
This Clamp Down (we are told) will begin in early September, with council officers monitoring the situation and gathering evidence to shape potential solutions.
Cheshire East will work collaboratively with the police, town and parish councils, stakeholders and businesses to assess needs and potential solutions. It will also look at the possibility of enhanced enforcement measures to clamp down on illegal or irresponsible parking.
And, if anyone were in any doubt about just how seriously CE's Parking Tsar Glen Williams is taking this matter, he goes on to say.....
"Many of our residents are impacted by high numbers of vehicles in areas where statutory parking regulations are often ignored or where there is insufficient provision for off-road car parking.
"We intend to generate an open debate about parking matters, in partnership with our towns and local communities."
......................oops sorry, I just nodded-off.