Low-traffic active neighbourhood roads scheme could be revived despite opposition in part of Manchester

Plans for a controversial traffic scheme could be revived despite being roundly rejected by residents last year.

People in Cheadle and Cheadle Heath gave a firm ‘no’ to proposals for an ‘Active Neighbourhood’ – which included road blocks in some places – aimed at improving road safety and cutting pollution in the area.

Consultation responses revealed 75% opposed the trial, citing longer journey times, increased congestion and a flawed public consultation. More than 700 people also signed a petition opposing it.

It was widely accepted that communication with residents was less than ideal, and it was expected to be some time before any similar proposals resurfaced.

But a council email, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, shows a new round of  ‘community engagement on a ‘revised’ scheme is now pencilled in for the ‘early summer’.

Town hall bosses say residents will ultimately decide how the £250,000 pot is spent – and insist there will be no ‘rehashing’ of the original proposals.

What has been said about the scheme?

Councillor Tom Morrison, who represents Cheadle Hulme North, believes it is too soon to be revisiting the possibility of a scheme.

The Liberal Democrat said: “The plans were rejected only six months ago. At the time people were furious at the way they had been treated by both Stockport council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

“There was a lack of robust consultation last time and it meant people felt like they were ignored. People were justifiably angry, so why on earth would the council try again before wounds could heal?”

His ward and Lib Dem colleague, Coun Jilly Julian echoed his views, stressing the council’s ‘duty’ to keep people informed.

“Any plans need a proper consultation that involves all people across the Boundary Estate and beyond,” she said.  “This is a brilliant area, with very community-minded people who care deeply about road safety and active travel, so to keep them out of the loop is simply not on.”

But Councillor David Meller – the sole Labour councillor for Cheadle Hulme North as well as the council’s economy chief – says  any suggestion it will be the old plan in a new guise is wide of the mark.

“Any idea it’s going to be a rehash of what was proposed last time is absolutely not the case,” he told the LDRS.

“It’s starting from scratch and getting residents to tell us what they potentially like to see the money used for.”

He continued: “I still get regular complaints about speeding and rat-running, but it’s more about speeding, really – and parking on junctions. That’s ultimately what I would like to see the money used for, but ultimately it’s for residents to say.”

Coun Meller adds the planters – which acts as ‘filters’, blocking cars and other motorised transport at one end of a street –  would not be making a return, at least not in Cheadle Hulme North.

“I have been pretty clear with officers that I don’t want to see any planters in my ward – that’s what caused all the uproar last time,” he said.

“With this money we have a real opportunity to go to people and say ‘what do you want this money to be used for? What’s going to encourage you to  walk and cycle while addressing the various road safety issues we have?’”

The £250,000 funding comes from Transport for Greater Manchester, as part of a plan to set up at least one ‘Active Neighbourhood’ – also known as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – in each borough.

And Coun Meller says he wants to capitalise on the cash while it is there for the taking.

“I certainly don’t want us to lose this funding because we may never get the chance to do these things again,” he said.

 It’s important we use these things to our advantage and to the benefit of residents.”

A spokesperson for Stockport council said: “The council is very clear, after the previous consultation run by external bodies, that it can only develop proposed schemes having listened carefully to local residents and understanding what they believe to be the main traffic and safety issues within this part of Cheadle and Cheadle Heath. 

 “We will be speaking with residents by June on what they would like to see and we look forward to working with them and ward councillors on this.

 “We will only develop an Active Neighbourhood proposal if issues identified by residents can be addressed by such a scheme. If that is the case, we would then carry out further work with residents.”