Council says 'no' to Moss Lane alterations (From Crewe Guardian)

Council says 'no' to Moss Lane alterations

7:10am Saturday 15th September 2012 in News By Matthew Taylor

CAMPAIGNERS vowed that the ‘fight will continue’ after Cheshire East council decided not to implement increased speeding measures on a road in Crewe.

The council received mixed responses as to whether Moss Lane, Leighton, should be subject to greater traffic calming devices.

In total, 18 of 24 residents and businesses on Moss Lane didn’t consider speeding an issue, while 22 did not consider there was a high volume of traffic.

However, another 41 questionnaires returned from people who did not live on Moss Lane, many of whom are believed to be dog walkers using the lane, disagreed.

Among those 41 were calls for better road markings and traffic chicanes. 30 of the 41 wanted to see road humps installed.

Despite the demands, Cheshire East have decided against carrying out work .

Clr Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “We promised to investigate this matter after approaches from the public and we have done this.

“We also said that if evidence shows that measures to slow down traffic will provide a solution then they will be considered.

However, it is very difficult to justify carrying out any work when the residents and businesses of that very road do not believe there is a problem.

“Speeding is not acceptable and we will not tolerate it but there must be clear justification to make changes to the road and, in this instance, there is not.”

Councillor Derek Bebbington, Ward member for Leighton, added: “It is very telling that the majority of people who live and work on Moss Lane do not believe there are any problems and no action is required at this time.

“However, we are aware there is a new housing estate to be built in the vicinity of Moss Lane and, therefore, we will continue to monitor the situation.”

Resident of Moss Lane, Ian Williamson, was injured on Moss Lane by a motorist.

He has fought a tireless campaign on behalf of the Moss Lane Action Group to get increased safety measures installed. An earlier petition by the group saw 150 signatures favouring greater speeding measures along the lane.

He said that the council’s decision ‘put lives at continued risk’.

He added: “Our fight will continue, the community will remember having their opinions snubbed by these two councillors.”