I know from living locally the junction between Badger Avenue and Frank Webb Avenue is a concern to residents, as it is to me too.
I met with the Cheshire East Highways Road Safety Team Leader in mid-December to discuss the issues around this junction and to carry out a safety survey.
I am aware that there have been several recent collisions here since then, some which I have seen myself.
I had already been looking into these issues and had raised these concerns with both Cheshire East Council Highways and their Road Safety Team Leader. That is not only in terms of the junction itself, but also the fact that we now no longer have a school crossing patrol to aid those parents and children going to and from Underwood West School when crossing this junction. I have raised this issue with Cheshire East Council as well as speaking to the school and have been advised an assessment will be made with regards to replacing the crossing patrol.
I’ve seen for myself the difficulties parents and children have in crossing the road here. I know personally how this junction is difficult to navigate when driving, with very poor visibility of oncoming traffic and vehicles approaching from multiple directions.
NEW SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL – AGREED!
As you may know I have been working to try and improve the road safety around the junction of Badger Avenue and Frank Webb Avenue, particularly for the children and parents of Underwood West Academy.
I’ve been pushing for a replacement school crossing patrol to make it safer for those walking to and from the school.
I am pleased to announce that a new crossing patrol has been APPROVED.
The vacancy for this job is now open. If you know anyone local who may be interested in applying for this part time job, please share these details.
I am concerned to hear about and see for myself some of the recent collisions here. To ask for greater priority to be given to this issue, I have written to the Head of Highways at Cheshire East Council as well as the Chair of Highways and Transport Committee and had a meeting with the head of highways.
I’ve discussed the issues with road safety on this junction with our local MP and have asked to make an application to try to obtain government funding from the Department for Transport to see if we can make improvements to the junction.
In terms of what improvements can be made in the short term; I previously requested that the lighting on the ‘give way’ signs be repaired. This has been completed and they are operational.
I requested in October that the ‘give way’ markings be repainted, but this was rejected with a response that the current markings were ‘adequate.’ I disagreed with this as the markings are obviously worn – and requested that the decision be reviewed.
On 14th February the road markings were repainted by Cheshire East Highways.
I’ve asked Cheshire Police if they can carry out speed checks on this section of Badger Avenue and monitor parking to ensure visibility is not further impaired, speed checks are being carried out in this area.
Some residents have contacted me about parking issues on Badger Avenue. You can now report issues with parking online to Cheshire Police as part of Operation Park Safe.
If further improvements to this junction are agreed, it will likely take some time to go through all the stages required to plan, fund, and implement whatever enhancements are recommended.
So, in the meantime if you are driving through this junction please slow down and take great care.
If you or your children are crossing the road, please walk to the dropped kerb crossing points either side of the junction, and don’t attempt to cross on the junction itself.
I’m asking residents to please support my call for improvements to this section of road by emailing Cheshire East Council’s current consultation on road crossings.
The email address is CEConsultation@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Please remember to mention Badger Avenue and Frank Webb Avenue junction on your email. Thank you!
I will post further updates in due course.
Cllr James Pratt