CityFibre Update
Residents continue to ask about fibre installation in Upton. Last week I met with Julie Derbyshire and Mark Williams from CityFibre. We were due to meet earlier but the meeting was postponed because they were both required to be available at the time by the firm.
We are all aware that communication with our community has been lacking during the past few months and that this must be rectified. I asked for CityFibre to put together a proper update of how, what and why is happening in Upton and this will happen. I will of course also share it.
Specifically I raised the problem of lack of connectivity in the Moston area.
To connect this area means bringing the fibre from the end of Upton Lane and along Liverpool Road. Liverpool Road is a traffic sensitive area and it’s apparently no straightforward task.
However I think I understand that it is possible for the connections to get to Moston. There won’t be a fibre build at The Dale. This is a complicated situation with the MoD.
I know this is not perfect and it will be a while but at least residents know the situation.
Parking on Queens Crescent
Parking on Queens Crescent has been an issue for many years.
It took a great deal of perseverance for me to persuade the council to change the street to one way only in an attempt to lesson the impact of parked cars.
However this has not solved the problems as car ownership has increased so in response to the continuing community concerns about parking, I am supporting residents in a campaign to make permanent changes to the green space.
The local community of the residents can see the benefit of turning a small area of the green into properly organised parking for residents who have no access to off street parking on their properties. I contacted CWaC highways who responded.
‘I’ve recently been looking at a similar request elsewhere for the removal of green space to enable access to properties for parking so have been discussing with planning as planning approval would be required and have been advised the following:
“the land in question is allocated green space in the Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan (Policy SOC6) and along with highway safety matters, any planning application that fails to protect and/or enhance the green space is unlikely to be supported. In this instance, should an application come forward for a parking area on the green space [it] is likely to be refused.”
I have checked with planning and the same would apply for this area on Queen’s Crescent. I appreciate the concern regarding emergency access but should an ambulance need access it would just block the road if necessary in an emergency.’
I will not just accept that this cannot be changed or challenged and will continue to press for action.
Community Pride Projects
My Community Pride money is supporting several new wildflower areas for Upton and once the funding is signed off and secured I will let everyone know exactly the work go be carried out.
Upton Youth Club Meeting
I’d like to encourage members to come along to the the meeting where we can discover what possibilities there are for the community use for this derelict youth club building. 5.30-6.30 on 15th February at the pavilion.
Parking Around Westlea School
On 2nd February I joined PCSO Williams and the young people who are safety wardens at the Westlea School. PCSO Williams spoke to drivers who parked on the restricted areas and those who parked causing obstructions. The pupils had previously given out copies of the Parents Parking Charter which were signed and returned to the school.
Liverpool Road Finger Post
The contractors were unable to remove the finger post on Liverpool Road because over the years it has become embedded in a wall and it was impractical to embark on negotiations about why and how this has happened. The post has therefore undergone a thorough renovation on site and is looking so much better. The cost was less than budgeted for as the post remained in situ so I have asked that unused amount goes to tidy up the sign on the Bridleway.
Wait for Double Yellows on Weston Grove
We are still waiting for the change from single to double yellow lines on Weston Grove so I asked for an update and to find out when this might happen. I’m told it will be within this financial year and when there is a lining crew in the area. The change was approved a year ago.
Parking Issues on Alywn Gardens and Caughall Road
I’ve received complaints about inconsiderate parking on the junction of Alwyn Gardens and Caughall Road. Our PCSO patrolled around the area but I notice this is still a problem. Drivers who park on the junction are obscuring the sight line.
Countess Planning Approval - what next
On Tuesday the outline application application for the new women’s children’s wing of Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH), along with the full application for the temporary car park, was approved.
We cannot change that decision.
On Friday morning I met with the project director and one of the engineers to talk about community engagement and communication.
I hope that at Parish Council members will agree to invite representatives from the team at CoCH to the March Parish Council meeting.
The team from CoCH will arrange a drop in session when residents can go along to find out exactly what is planned, how the development will affect our community and to discuss the proposed travel plan.
We also agreed to set up a liaison group which will comprise of residents and representatives from CoCH.
We very much hope that this will mean honest conversations and open lines of communication.
Once we have the dates they will be widely shared with residents, the Parish Council and I will put them on my social media.
Kind regards
Jill
