LEEK AND DISTRICT CIVIC SOCITEY

IT IS a pleasure to report again from our recent routine committee meeting.

We try to do this following every meeting as we seek to be open and informative about our activities.

Our most recent meeting on September 2 mostly gave members updates on our ongoing topics.

Regular readers will know we have a scheme underway to install blue plaques commemorating famous people or events from Leek’s past.

Six plaques have been installed so far and there are more at various stages of consideration.

More information as we get it but at this moment we have to report that sadly we have failed to get the necessary permissions for a plaque on the old fire station.

However, we are exploring possible alternative sites.

Recently we have been considering whether Leek should have some 20mph speed-limited areas.

One of the first things we did was to obtain road accident figure for 2018 in Leek.

This we did using the Freedom of Information Act.

The figures show 27 RTCS (road traffic collisions) spread over 22 locations.

Not all these were in the town centre, so the information – while of interest does not support our 20mph campaign for Leek town centre.

After reviewing this information we decided to continue our campaign initially with Staffordshire County Council Highways and Transport department.

Our meetings usually cover a wide range of topics and this particular meeting was no exception.

Very briefly, some planning issues were raised and in particular we are concerned about the quality of signage in Derby Street.

We feel some of the more garish examples devalue the market town character of Leek.

We noted items found to be of concern during a walk-about undertaken by our secretary with the Town Mayor as part of National Civic Day.

Also discussed was the roundabout on Macclesfield Road and how it could be made more attractive.

We will be taking all these items up with the appropriate authorities.

Finally we decided to support the reinstallation if the distinctive white lettering on the fascia boards at the almshouses on Condyliffe Street missing since the repainting.

While these notes can only give a snapshot on our meeting we hope anyone seeking further information will take advantage of out open invitation to contact our secretary.

He is on 01538 308634

Our next meeting is Monday, October 14.