Parish Council 26th September 2022.
HM The Queen
I begin this report by thanking our community for coming together to remember and celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth. We have lasting memorials to Her Majesty at the pavilion and the Countess of Chester Country Park.
Speeding Concerns and Calming Ideas
Concerned residents have contacted me about the positioning of the speed indicator sign just after the junction of Flag Lane South and A41. Because the sign is very visible from a distance drivers increase their speed before the 50 zone which residents tell me is making crossing the road difficult and they feel causes a hazard for traffic turning in and out of FLS.
I asked highways whether it is feasible to move the change from 30mph to 50mph to north of Demage Lane.
The road safety team was consulted and this is the reply I received from Highways.
‘The speed limit change should be at the change in character usually at the first property, there also needs to be 3 properties fronting the highway in the first 100m.
If you want to follow the second part you could push back by about 30m.
So it could be pushed back a little but given this would mean moving the two terminal signs with electric feed to them so would be significant cost which I don’t think would have a significant impact to justify it as would still be clearly visible on approach.
It is often the case that speed limit signs can be seen well in advance and in fact have to be clearly visible for a minimum distance and the onus is on the driver to adhere to the limit as in all locations.
The problem is drivers speed up in the 30 zone having seen the 50 sign so many are exceeding 30 at the point on the A41 where pedestrians cross. It appears from further correspondence that the only solution is to deploy a SID and/or our CSWand PCSO at this point.
I’m now considering how we might fund a SID to be used exclusively by our PCSO and the CSW team. Given that speeding is a constant concern in our community I feel I would be an investment and could be deployed wherever needed.
For example I have asked for the reassessment of Bache Drive for a complete 20mph zone. SID could be deployed at this location. Here is the response I received to my enquiry.
Bache Drive - road safety are happy to reassess but we'd need confirmation of support to cover 50% of the cost of implementation of any recommendations before they do so from you or the PC.
This indicates that I’d need to put my ward budget into the scheme but as it is already allocated this is not practical. In addition I do not recall being told this would be the case when Demage Lane was reassessed. My feeling is any costs should be the responsibility of CWaC.
Yellow lines on Weston Grove
We have been waiting some time for the single yellow lines to be upgraded to double on Weston Grove. Here’s the latest from Highways.
There’s an apology for the delay with Weston Grove. This will be picked up with one of the team with a view to getting it to public notice in the next couple of weeks.
Pavement Parking
Complaints about the drivers parking on pavements and causing instructions continue. Recently a resident was forced to walk in the road and narrowly avoided being hit by an electric scooter. While I am happy to pass on such incidents our PCSO has confirmed it is important that they are reported at the time and by the persons witnessing them.
Further to this incident and continued poor parking around Westlea School, I referred it to our PCSO and our Senior road safety officer. There are plans in train but there are also 5 other schools in Upton so the authorities cannot be everywhere at the same time.
I hope the following is useful.
For information
HC rule 243:
DO NOT stop or park
Opposite or within 10 metres of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
On a bend
HC rule 244:
You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.
Double yellow lines indicate No waiting at any time and apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge unless there are signs that specifically indicates otherwise or of course a disability badge is displayed.
Application Delay
I’m still chasing the application for the old Gamekeeper site on Newhall Road. The sticking point is the section 106 money which the applicant is now wanting to settle as soon as possible. The application is stuck in the planning legal department. I’m doing my best to push it through.
Roundabout Signs to be Replaced
It is good to know that the damaged sign on Morrisons roundabout will be replaced along with replace all the chevron boards as part of programmed works although I have no idea when this will be.
Finger Post Frustration
I am aware that the old finger post at the junction of Church Lane and Mill Lane is still in need of repair and looks incomplete with two of the fingers missing. I do not accept that it cannot be mended because it is too low to the ground.
It’s disappointing to see that the old rotting notice on the green on Alpraham Crescent still hasn’t been removed and that weeds proliferate our kerbs and the central reservation on A5116.
Community Pride Funding
It is however good news that CWaC has found some funding for each ward councillor the Borough. This has been labelled Community Pride and means I have been able to apply for the extra money to extend schemes I have already in the pipeline for Upton. Officers have prepared the application. This will enable more work in Lodge Gardens, improvements to The Cockpit and the area by the golf club wall.
How to Report Issues
I hope that the road and footway defects in Upton will be mended before the winter weather sets in and compounds the issues. May I remind members and residents that anyone can report using the CWaC app or https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/contact-us/report-it
or 0300 123 8123.
Kind regards
Jill
