TOWN councillors are calling for alterations to polling stations, in the hope of saving voters from a steep mile-long walk on election days.

Proposed changes to Cheshire West and Chester Council wards would see Leftwich separated from Davenham, Kingsmead and Moulton, leaving residents with new polling locations.

A consultation, which closed this week, sought views on the electoral review, which would bring in a new ‘Northwich Leftwich’ ward, leaving ‘Davenham, Kingsmead and Moulton’ as a separate entity.

Northwich Town Council members have this week had their say on the new Northwich Leftwich ward, which would stretch as far north as the River Dane beyond Waitrose.

The split means new polling places leaving some voters with a mile-long walk to cast their ballot at Emmanuel Church.

The council’s response said: “We would propose that the polling district should be split at the junction of Kingsmead and London Road, with the north section of London Road forming a new polling district with The Crescent, Hollands Road, Webbs Court and Postles Place.

“This new polling district would use the Polish Catholic Mission as its polling place.

“Properties at the furthest extent of the polling district are approximately a mile walk up a steep hill to Emmanuel Church.

“Hollands Road mainly consists of privately rented or socially rented flats, with low rates of car ownership and historically low voter turnout.

“The Polish Catholic Mission will be much more convenient for these properties and address the distance/gradient issue as a barrier to voting.”