Dear fellow residents,

I hope you're well!  It's time for my update on what I've been up to this March. As we head into Spring, it's great to share with you news of how residents and our local Scout group have been getting involved in the Great British Spring Clean - and how you can help too!

Also in this newsletter, a further update on Beechmere, what's on this Easter Holidays for young people in Leighton Brook Park, news on my efforts to get our roads repaired, how to Act Fast in the event of a stroke, New CCTV at Derby Docks, find out what I do on a typical day as your councillor, have your say on redevelopment plans for the town centre, and much more.

If you want to check my previous newsletters you can read them all online.

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 and now Tiktok 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.

🚨 DERBY DOCKS - CCTV INSTALLED 🚨

Although Derby Docks is just outside St Barnabas ward, I know many residents use this facility, and I’ve heard from lots of you who were really concerned about the recent vandalism at the playground – something you may have seen reported in the news.

It’s truly disheartening when things like this happen in our communities.

I recently raised concerns about anti-social behaviour in our parks with the police and other agencies.

Last week, I met on-site with Cheshire East’s CCTV manager, and I want to say a huge thank you to Stuart and his team, who pulled out all the stops to get a new CCTV camera rapidly deployed here.

📷 The camera is now in place, monitored 24/7 from the control room, and recording continuously.

I also noticed that much of the lighting in the area is out of action, and I’ve asked for this to be investigated.  A visit will be made this week to make an initial assessment on repairing the lighting.

Discussions are underway regarding repairs to the playground equipment, and I hope to update you on this soon.

If you witness anti-social behaviour at this location or any of our parks, please report it:

📞 101 – for non-urgent issues

📞 999 – if something is being damaged or anyone is at risk

Let’s work together to keep our community safe! 

🌍🚮 WILSON HOUSE SCOUTS LITTER PICK - THANK YOU! 🚮🌍

It was fantastic to join Wilson House Scouts, leaders, and families last Saturday for a litter pick in Leighton Brook Park! 🌿♻️

The scouts are working towards their World Challenge Badge, and they did an amazing job—collecting litter, spotting the solar eclipse, and even discovering a rat’s skull in the wooded area! 🦴🌘

A huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time this morning, especially Scout Leader Hayley for helping to organise the session. Your efforts make a real difference to our local environment! 👏💚

A special thanks as well to Crewe Town Council and Ansa Environmental Services Ltd for their support in providing equipment and collecting the bags of waste—we really appreciate it! 🙌♻️

If you’d like to get involved in The Great British Spring Clean, please let me know! Together, we can keep our community clean and green. 🍃✨

🌿✨ DO YOUR BIT TO HELP KEEP CREWE ST BARNABAS CLEAN! ✨🌿

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has taken part in the Great British Spring Clean so far! Your efforts are making a real difference in keeping Crewe St Barnabas clean and green! 🌍💚

If you haven’t joined in yet, there’s still time! Why not make it a fun family activity? Grab the kids, some litter-picking gear, and show them how small actions make a big difference! 🗑️♻️

Join me for a litter pick or do your own with family & friends. If you need equipment, just send me a message! Every effort counts!

📩 Message me to get involved or at www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/contact

Let’s keep up the great work for a cleaner, greener community! 💪🏡

🐣 WHAT’S ON THIS EASTER IN LEIGHTON BROOK PARK! 🐣

I’m always working to bring more activities for young people to our area, from Pop-Up in the Parks to Crewe Alex in the Community and Street Sports. So, I’m really excited to share that the HAF programme run by Wishing Well is coming to Leighton Brook Park this Easter!

📅 Wednesday 9th April & Wednesday 16th April

⏰ 2pm – 4pm | FREE Holiday Activities & Food (HAF)

🎨⚽🎶 Fun games, sports, crafts, and music – plus a meal included!

⏰ 5pm – 6pm | FREE Street Sports

🏀⚽🤾 Evening sports and team activities in the games area!

Children over 8 can attend independently if they are able to attend to their own personal care needs. No booking needed, but please register and sign in on arrival.

For any queries, call 📞 07894 123413

Let’s make this Easter one to remember! 🎉🐰🌸

🚧 BEECHMERE SITE UPDATE 🚧

Following my recent meetings with Your Housing Group and my updates on the graffiti removal at the Beechmere site, I’m pleased to share that further security improvements have been made.

The temporary fencing has now been replaced with permanent fencing to better secure the site.

⚠️ Please be aware that the site is NOT safe for children or anyone else ⚠️

Parents, please ensure your children do not enter the site for their safety.

🔹 The site is monitored by CCTV. 🔹

If you see any trespassers or antisocial behaviour around the site, please report it by calling 101.  For any other concerns about the site, you can contact 0345 345 0272.

Thank you for your support in keeping our community safe! 👏

STROKE PREVENTION – ACT FAST

I recently spoke with Ralph, a stroke nurse at Leighton Hospital, who shared vital information on stroke prevention.

The Act FAST message is crucial: Face, Arm, Speech, Time – if you notice any of these signs, call 999 immediately. The faster someone gets medical help, the better their chances of recovery.

Top 3 things you can do:

✅ Get your blood pressure and pulse checked.

✅ Learn the FAST test.

✅ Share the FAST test with friends, family, and colleagues.

For more information, visit NHS Act FAST or the Stroke Association.

🚧 UNDERWOOD LANE & WEST STREET UPDATE 🚧

Following my previous update to residents on the works I have already secured for West Street this summer, I’m pleased to share that the council has also recognised the poor condition of Underwood Lane.

It has been prioritised for carriageway surface treatment, subject to funding, which I am pushing to have secured for the 2025/26 financial year.

After previously reporting potholes, crumbling speed cushions, and a loose manhole cover, I was frustrated by the lack of action. I followed up with further photos and contacted highways again to push for proper repairs.

I've also asked for a reinspection of the recent works carried out on Sandiway Road and remedials to be carried out by the original contractor given that the repairs are already deteriorating.  This will hopefully happen around the middle of May.

I’ll continue to monitor the situation and push for necessary repairs in the meantime. Let me know if you’ve noticed any other urgent issues!  You can also report potholes using the FixMyStreet app or online.

HELP WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT HOME

I recently met Matt Reen, Community Project Manager at The Wishing Well Project 🌟

At Wishing Well, their mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. They are dedicated to ensuring that children and families start well, adults live well, and older people age well.

Matt’s focus with this project is about raising awareness of energy efficiency in the home, aiming to reduce fuel poverty within our community.

What can Matt help with?

✅ Educating on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to stay safe

✅ Informing you about the benefits of joining the Priority Services Register (PSR)

✅ Helping vulnerable households, including those on low incomes, with long-term conditions, or communication needs

How can Matt help you?

🏡 Delivering workshops to community groups

🏡 Offering advice and tips on keeping your home warmer

🏡 Providing free carbon monoxide monitors for homeowners

🏡 Giving away free slow cookers to help reduce costs

🏡 Registering you for the Priority Services Register (PSR)

For more info, advice or to book a workshop for your group, get in touch with Matt:

📧 Matt.Reen@wishingwellproject.net

📞 01270 256919

Matt is working in partnership with Cadent Gas to support our community!

🛒 ABANDONED SHOPPING TROLLEYS – HOW TO REPORT THEM 🚨

Whilst out in our area recently, I came across this abandoned shopping trolley in the playground at Leighton Brook Park. I reported it to the Crewe Town Council Rangers for removal.

🔹 HOW TO REPORT AN ABANDONED SUPERMARKET TROLLEY 🔹

If you spot a lost or abandoned trolley in our area, please use this link to report it so it can be collected:

👉 https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/abandoned-trolley-report/

Supermarket trolleys left on our streets and in our parks make our area look neglected. 

Let’s work together to keep Crewe St Barnabas looking its best – please report them when you see them!

🚧 PAVEMENT PROBLEMS! 🚧

I’ve been out and about in our area, identifying several pavement issues that I’ve now reported to Cheshire East Highways, many around Badger Avenue.

Once again, I’m pushing for much-needed maintenance to keep our pavements safe.

Trip hazards aren’t just a danger to the elderly—they’re a risk to everyone using our footpaths.

Two of these areas have been repaired, and a further inspection of another two will be carried out this week.

If you spot a problem, let me know or report it via the FixMyStreet app! Let’s work together to keep our streets safe. 👟💬 

🧹 ALLEYWAY CLEAN-UP PROJECT – NOMINATIONS STILL OPEN! 🧹

I’ve been out in St Barnabas sharing information and encouraging residents to get involved in our Alleyway Clean-Up Project, part of the new Cleaner Crewe initiative!

Do you know an alleyway near your home that needs some TLC? 🌿🚮

I’m still looking for nominations, so now’s your chance to put one forward and help transform these spaces into cleaner, safer, and more inviting areas for our community.

Get involved and nominate an alleyway here:

🔗 https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/CleanUp/

🚨 PREMIER STREET LIGHT ON FRANK WEBB AVENUE - REPAIR DATE CONFIRMED 🚨

After 15 months of chasing Highways for action, I’ve finally been advised that the long-awaited repair to the street light outside the Premier Shop on Frank Webb Avenue will take place on 7th April.

This has been an ongoing issue since November 2023, leaving residents without proper lighting in a busy area. Despite multiple reports and follow-ups, progress has been frustratingly slow. A new column was installed in December 2024, but without a light fitting, and the original damaged column is still standing, wrapped in yellow tape.

I know how important this repair is for safety and visibility in the area, so I’ll be keeping a close watch to ensure the work is completed as promised. Thank you to residents for your patience – you deserve better, and I’ll continue pushing for action on local issues like this!

WHAT DO I DO? A TYPICAL DAY WORKING AS YOUR COUNCILLOR

Being a councillor means no two days are ever the same, but here’s an example of what a typical day looks like—this is what I got up to on 20th March while working across St Barnabas!

🌳 Morning Litter Pick in Leighton Brook Park

I started the day with a litter pick around the playground in Leighton Brook Park. Keeping our green spaces clean and safe is a priority, and I always appreciate the community members who do their part too!

🏠 Meeting with Your Housing Group

Next, I met with the Regional Housing Manager and Neighbourhood Officer from Your Housing Group to discuss local housing issues. One key topic was the removal of graffiti from the Beechmere site, which I’ve been pushing for.

📚 School Visit to Underwood West Academy

I paid a visit to Underwood West Academy, where I had the chance to meet with staff and discuss how things are going. Schools are at the heart of our community, and I always enjoy seeing the great work they’re doing.

👥 Speaking with Residents

Throughout the day, I visited three residents at their homes to listen to their concerns and see how I could help. These conversations are a big part of my role, making sure local voices are heard and acted upon.

🚮 Reporting Fly-Tipping

Sadly, fly-tipping is still a big issue in some areas. I reported 10 separate incidents to make sure they’re dealt with as quickly as possible. If you spot any, let me know—I’ll make sure it’s logged and followed up.

🌸 A Moment of Beauty on Goulden Street

While out and about, I came across a stunning blossom tree on Goulden Street. Sometimes, in the middle of all the work, it’s nice to stop and appreciate the small things!

🏗️ Town Centre Regeneration Meeting

In the evening, I attended a meeting to discuss proposals for the town centre regeneration of the "rubble site". It’s long overdue, and I’ll keep pushing to ensure we get real progress that benefits our community.

Days like these are busy but rewarding—it’s all about getting things done for St Barnabas. If there’s anything you need help with, please let me know! 😊

📩 Contact me here: https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/contact/

CREWE TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION – HAVE YOUR SAY!

We all know that the Royal Arcade project hasn’t turned out the way we hoped, and many residents including myself feel let down by the delays and setbacks. While this all started before my time as a councillor for Crewe, my focus is on pushing forward and making the best of the situation!

On the bright side, we now have a modern bus station and multi-storey car park (yes, I mentioned it! 😆). But the demolished shopping area and lack of progress on the Royal Arcade has left a big gap in our town centre.

I recently attended a meeting to hear more about plans for the so-called "rubble site." While a long-term solution is still being explored, the short-term plan includes:

✅ Grassing over sections of the site

✅ A new footpath with lighting to connect the bus station & car park with Victoria Street/Queensway

✅ Paved areas for events and activities

✅ Lower-level wooden fencing to replace the current fencing

Now, this is where YOU come in! Cheshire East Council wants your views on what features should be included—think seating, gates, play areas, or even a half-court basketball court! 🏀

📢 Have your say and check out the proposals here

Let’s work together to shape the future of Crewe! 💬👇

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.

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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