Parish chiefs resolve to continue fight over HS2
A COUNCIL’S campaign against the proposed HS2 high speed rail link between Crewe and London was renewed at its most recent meeting.
Members of Mottram St Andrew’s Parish Council say that the London to Manchester high speed rail link will have an adverse affect on people in the area who currently travel to the capital from stations around Macclesfield and Wilmslow.
At the meeting, the HS2 proposals and their effect on the council’s residents were discussed.
After some debate, the council resolved to continue to campaign for adequate rail links to be put in place from Wilmslow and Macclesfield to the proposed new HS2 link to ensure that the area does not suffer a reduction in service should the proposals go ahead.
The council also debated the efforts which are essential to secure Mottram St Andrew and Newton are included in the superfast broadband installations for the area being carried out by Connecting Cheshire – a partnership of four Cheshire councils, BT and the European Regional Development Fund.
Bill Pilkington, chairman of the council, said: “After pressure exerted by councillors we are awaiting a detailed report which sets out the specific locations where broadband will be available and those which will remain uncovered by the superfast network.
“The council is resolved to ensure that all residents in our area are eventually included in the scheme.”
As a result of the efforts of Coun Bill Pilkington and Coun Wennell, a substantial budget has also been allocated by Cheshire East Highways for the installation of safety measures on Priest Lane around Mottram St Andrew Academy School.
This will involve the provision of speed indication devices on a permanent basis after the a trial last year.
The council is also currently taking steps to ensure that landowners in the area are fully aware of their obligations to eradicate or at least control invasive plant species including Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and ragwort.