Dear fellow residents,

Well, we have come to the end of another busy year! Here is my final update for residents of Crewe, St Barnabas area for 2024. 

I can't believe this is my 27th Newsletter already!  If you want to check my previous newsletters you can read them all online.

This December newsletter includes an update on work to keep our streets clean and safe as we move from Autumn to Winter, details of how you can get involved with my Community Clean Up over Christmas, and an update on the West Street footpath issue, plus details of Christmas bin collections and more about some of the work I have been doing for our area over the last month.

You can always see my latest updates on my facebook page.  Remember to click like and follow to stay updated.  I'm also on Instagram too.

Please forward or share this newsletter with your St Barnabas area friends and neighbours so I can keep other residents up to date on what I am up to in our area.

Anyone can sign up to receive my newsletter by visiting

www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/newsletter

If you've missed a previous newsletter, you can view them all online here.

WORKING FOR OUR AREA, IN OUR AREA!

It's been another busy month, in between meetings I have been out and about across St Barnabas, speaking to fellow residents about issues that are important to them.

I've reported several issues in our area that need attention, including potholes, fly tipping and even a sinkhole!

I've also been busy delivering my contact details to fellow residents, so that they can let me know if there's an issue I could help with.

If there's something you've spotted that you think needs attention, or anything else you think I may be able to help with, please get in contact using this link.

FRANK WEBB AVENUE & KETTLELL AVENUE LEAF CLEARANCE

I made a recent request for the road and pavements to be swept following the heavy autumnal fall of leaves on Frank Webb Avenue and Kettell Avenue which made the surface slippery in places.

A big thanks to Ansa Environmental Services Ltd who have worked hard to clear the majority of the leaves from the road and pavements of Frank Webb Avenue and Kettell Avenue.  Their efforts have made a huge improvement.

I had also raised the issue of the street lights in this area being blocked by the trees and some minor pruning has been completed - the street lights function much more effectively now and the area is much better lit at night making it safer for residents.

If you are a resident and have any concerns over trees near your property, please call 0300 123 5020 to discuss.

SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL - JOB VACANCY - FANCY AN EXTRA £91 A WEEK?

I've heard from parents who struggle to cross the busy junction of Badger Avenue and Frank Webb Avenue with their children attending Underwood West Academy.

That's why I've had several on-site meetings with highway road safety officers to discuss long-term solutions for improving this busy junction for all users.

In the meantime, I worked hard to secure funding for a school crossing patrol officer.

The funding has been approved, and the job vacancy is open. Could this be the part-time role you're looking for?

I recently spent the day delivering leaflets in our local area to promote the job. If you know someone who would be ideal for this role, please pass the word along!

Job:  School Crossing Patrol Officers
Contract: Permanent 
Hours: 7.5 hours per week, term time only 
Salary: Grade 2 - £12.26 per hour / £91.95 a week

Full job details here:

https://www.ansa.co.uk/working-at-ansa/school-crossing-patrol-officers.aspx

Or call 01270 686797

SMITHY LANE STREET LIGHTS REINSTATED

Several residents had recently raised concerns to me about the old section of Smithy Lane to Leighton Hospital which following recent works was no longer lit, and pitch black at night.

This 'legacy' road is no longer for traffic, but is now a pedestrian and cycle route to the hospital, used by many staff and visitors going to and from the hospital.

I raised this issue with street lighting management and I'm pleased to confirm the lights have now been reinstated.  It is now well lit and much safer for all who are using this route.

If there's something you think I can help with, please get in touch using this link

FALLOWFIELD COURT - NEW FENCING INSTALLED

Thank you to Guinness Housing for responding to my request to replace the broken fencing around the green space at Fallowfield Court.

The old fence was in poor condition and appeared unsafe, with broken pieces scattered across the grass. The new fencing is a significant improvement!

If you're a Guinness Housing tenant and need to report a repair, please call 0303 123 1890 or use this online link:

https://www.guinnesspartnership.com/for-tenants/repairs/report-a-repair/

LEIGHTON BROOK PARK TIDY UP - FRANK WEBB AVENUE

I noticed that the perimeter fencing around Leighton Brook Park on Frank Webb Avenue was becoming very overgrown and looking a bit of a mess with brambles spreading towards the footpath.  It certainly grows quickly!

Thank you to the ANSA team who recently responded to my request and gave it a good cut back.  It certainly looks much tider now!

LEIGHTON BROOK PARK COMMUNITY CLEAN UP

Fancy getting out the house and active during the Christmas holidays?  Need something to do in the lull between Christmas and New Year?

Let's work together to make Leighton Brook Park a cleaner, greener place! Come out and get active this Christmas holiday!

Grab A LITTER PICKER and help us CLEAN up OUR PARK, or simply pop down to show your support - every hand makes a difference.   

Gloves, bags and equipment will be provided.  Everyone welcome, old or young just come along!

Saturday 28th December 10am-11am.  Meet by the playground in Leighton Brook Park, Frank Webb Avenue

WINDSOR AVENUE OPEN SPACE SECURED

Following previous unauthorised vehicle access to the open space between Windsor Avenue and Frank Bott Avenue, residents raised concerns to me about a missing bollard which would have allowed access to the field and possible future encampments.

Thank you to The Guinness Partnership who maintain this area, following my recent request have now fitted a new bollard to complement the existing bollards either side - preventing vehicles from accessing the open space.

If there's an issue you would like me to help with, please get in contact using this link

TACKLING DOG FOULING - KEEPING OUR STREETS CLEAN

You may have noticed the "Clean it up" stencilling on some pavements around our area.

These have recently been installed, along with signage following concerns raised from several residents to me about an increase in dog fouling in our area.

Additional patrols from community enforcement officers will be taking place to help tackle the problem in St Barnabas.  Fixed penalty fines can be issued for anyone seen not clearing up after their dog.

If you spot dog fouling that needs cleaning or have information on the source of dog fouling please call 0300 123 5011 report online using the FixMyStreet phone app or online: https://www.fixmystreet.com/

Please remember, bag it and bin it!  Thank you.

PREMIER STORE STREET LIGHT REPAIR - FRANK WEBB AVENUE

A while back I noticed that the street light near the Premier Store on Frank Webb Avenue was damaged and no longer lit.   This is something that residents also contacted me about whilst I've been waiting for it to be repaired.

I have been chasing this with the street lighting manager at Cheshire East to ensure it it gets repaired properly.

I am pleased to confirm that work is now underway to fit a new street lighting column here.  Obviously it is important to ensure our streets and local facilities are adequately lit for the darker nights to ensure everyone feels safe.

I've also noticed one of the footpath street lights in Leighton Brook Park is not working.  I've requested that this is repaired so that the footpath to and from the park is safe and properly lit for those using it.

If you spot a faulty street light, please report it using the FixMyStreet phone app, or online:

https://fixmystreet.cheshireeast.gov.uk/

WEST STREET FOOTPATH UPDATE

I frequently hear from residents concerned about the condition of the footpath on West Street, next to the Coppenhall Place development. I’ve raised this issue multiple times with Highways, including holding an on-site meeting with a senior highways officer to discuss it.

Part of the problem is with the planning permission (or lack of) from the developer which has stalled these works from being fully completed.

Although not perfect, I am pleased to report that a temporary surface has recently been installed by Cheshire East Highways on this section of the footpath so it is now at least a continual surface, and should not flood as previous.  A full repair is expected in the New Year.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my call for action on this issue!

I will continue to push for improvements to this part of West Street, including the road surface itself - I have reported several potholes here recently and requested repairs.

If you spot a pothole, or a highway/road or footpath issue you can report it by using the FixMyStreet app, or online 

ALLEYWAY CLEAN UP MCNEILL AVENUE / WEST STREET

A massive thank you to Customer Liaison Officer Louise at The Guinness Partnership  who helped me to get the alleyway behind McNeill Avenue and West Street cleared up 😎👌🔥

The alleyway was overgrown and becoming impassable for residents, many who raised concerns to me about it.  Louise arranged for contractors to clear the overgrowth, and with the support of Ansa Environmental Services Ltd any fly tipping has been cleared and the area is once again clean and tidy.

Help keep this area clear!  If you spot fly tipping in the alleyway, please call 0300 123 5011 or report using the FixMyStreet app on your phone.  I will also keep an eye on this area 👀

Remember to keep alley gates LOCKED and secure.  If you have lost your alley gate key and need a replacement, please  call 01270 375295.

Here's some more info on Alley Gates 

COPING AT CHRISTMAS - IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO

As we enter into the Christmas period, it can be a tough time for some people 

Below are some organisations that you can contact if you need someone to talk to 📞

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR BIN COLLECTIONS

Please note that household waste and recycling collections for St Barnabas will continue to be collected as normal over the Christmas and New Year period, on the normal day of Tuesday.

Garden waste collections will finish on Friday 20 December. They will restart for subscribers to the 2025 scheme from the week commencing 20 January.

You can also download and print  a full bin calendar here

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Finally I'd like to wish all St Barnabas residents and their families a MERRY CHRISTMAS and all the best for the New Year ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me this past year.  The kind words and messages of support from fellow residents have been fantastic.

As we head into the new year there will be new challenges. I won't win every one but I will certainly try!  Let's keep making St Barnabas BETTER in 2025!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

 ☃︎🎅🎄❄️☃️🎁🦌

Support from Cheshire East over Christmas:

If you need to contact the Council out of hours, please call 0300 123 5025

For Social Care emergencies, contact the Social Care Out of Hours team on 0300 123 5022.

Guinness Housing Tenants please call 0303 123 1890 for all emergency repairs

That's it for now but there are many more updates on local issues and upcoming events on my Facebook and Instagram so please do follow them as I can't fit everything on the email newsletter.

If you have something you'd like me to look in to please do get in contact.

Councillor James Pratt

Crewe, St Barnabas Ward

Cheshire East & Crewe Town Council

Promoted by James Pratt of CNCA, 13 Churchyardside, CW5 5DE