Traffic calming measures could be introduced on Pikemere Road following impact of Lodge Road active travel scheme

By Tom Avery

29th Sep 2020 | Local News

(Image by Google)
(Image by Google)

Cheshire East will continue to monitor Pikemere Road to assess whether any measures need to be introduced, following the impact of increased traffic as a result of the Lodge Road active travel scheme.

The Lodge Road scheme was recently discussed as an emergency agenda item at an Alsager Town Council meeting.

Nub News reported that councillors urged Cheshire East to listen to the growing number of objections submitted against the borough's active travel measure and to scrap the "experimental" scheme.

Speaking at last week's Alsager Town Council meeting, Alsager resident Chris Venables, felt that there were "massive problems" with the scheme and the objective of making things safer for Alsager School and promoting cycling and walking had not come to fruition, and in fact claimed the "total reverse" had happened.

Mr Venables also highlighted that there had been a significant increase in the volume of traffic heading down Pikemere Road, past the primary school and also on Hassall Road, which put younger pupils in "danger".

Cheshire East felt that the junction on Lodge Road, with Sandbach Road North needed improving due to there not being a safe crossing.

Cllr Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and waste, said: "A longstanding issue for students accessing Alsager School, is the lack of a safe crossing point at the junction on Lodge Road, with Sandbach Road North.

"The location needed improving – due to the lack of a suitable footpath and lack of clear visibility for people crossing. This experimental scheme gives pedestrians better visibility and makes provision for cyclists, creating a safer crossing point.

"The Department for Transport imposed very challenging timescales for delivery of this scheme and other emergency active travel measures across the country.

"However, Cheshire East Council has endeavoured to inform and seek the views of local members and local schools – as well as the wider public on these experimental schemes. This process continues with further engagement with the school and transport providers."

With a number of consultation responses already received, Cllr Crane confirmed that community feedback would be taken into account before any scheme was made permanent.

Cllr Crane added: "These innovative projects are part of steps taken by this council to encourage more people to get active and cycle and walk more. But they have to be right for each specific location.

"Continued feedback and engagement will enable us to monitor and refine these active travel measures before anything is considered to be made permanent – so we get schemes that are right for each community.

"We are aware of concerns about potential impacts on Pikemere Road, which has been raised by local residents and members, and we will continue to monitor traffic levels to assess the need for any measures here.

"We thank people for their feedback and continue to encourage people to provide us with their views via our webpages."

At the time of publishing this article, there had been 377 comments on the Lodge Road active travel scheme.

     

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