Cllr Sheila Bailey

Just what everyone needs to start the New Year..........
Contractors working on behalf of Network Rail will be undertaking overnight maintenance works to their assets on Edgeley Road, Cheadle Heath between the junctions of Bordon Road and Bird Hall Lane. These works are scheduled to take place from 4th January till 16th January and will require the use of temporary multiway signals between the hours of 20:30 and 05:00.

This notice is being posted around Etherow Park and we have asked for it to be posted around Edgeley Reservoir where people regularly feed the birds - just as a precaution.
Avian influenza (Bird Flu) has been detected in a number of wild birds across Great Britain and in Etherow Park in Stockport. Apparently this is normal for this time of year as wild birds carry the disease when migrating to the UK from Europe and Asia. UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked eggs and poultry are safe to eat.

We received information from a local resident about a missing access gate that leads right onto the M60 motorway from the Trans Pennine Trail. Walking from Stockport to Cheadle along the river at the point where the motorway goes over the river there is a broken gate where her dog nearly ran onto the motorway. The Council have notified Highways England and asked them to repair this urgently. This is just to let people know who walk along this section of the Trail

Open Plus is coming to Edgeley Library
Library users will soon be seeing information about the new, extended opening hours for Edgeley Library. From next April the library will be open (to registered users) at times not currently available i.e. Thursdays and Sundays. and until 8pm on weekdays. Core hours will still be covered by staff and at least one evening a week will be staffed until 6pm as well as 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. The library would also be available for community meetings/events. Nine libraries in Stockport already operate Open Plus with 2500 residents using this service between July and October this year. There will be extra lighting, CCTV and security. In order to install the equipment the library will need to close from 2pm on Saturday 22nd Jan. until 10am on the 7th Feb. Residents will be able to start registering from the 7th Feb and the system will operate from April.

Cllr Sheila Bailey and Cllr Matt Wynne joined the Headteacher and children from St Matthew's Primary School, Edgeley to launch Stockport Council's TURN IT OFF campaign to try and encourage parents and guardians collecting and dropping off children at all schools not to wait with engines idling. A car idling will fill up to 150 balloons of exhaust emissions containing harmful chemicals like cyanide, nitrogen oxides and Particulate Matter all of which we breathe in and for children this is particularly harmful as their lungs are still developing. So please TURN IT OFF.

Just to let you know...............
Contractors working on behalf of Stockport Council will be undertaking inspection works on King Street West bridge, between the junctions of Heaton Lane and Chestergate. These works are scheduled to take place between 9th and 11th November and will require the use of temporary stop and go boards between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30.
Contractors working on behalf of United Utilities will be undertaking works to their apparatus on Stockport Road, Edgeley, between the Junctions of Sandown Road and Kent road . The works are scheduled to take place on 27th November and will require the use of temporary two way signals.

OLD TOILET BLOCK TO GO
This toilet block was closed several years because of anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing, and has stood empty ever since. Unfortunately, some anti-social behaviour has continued in and around the building and fly-tipping occurs regularly. We asked for the block to be demolished to try stop the problems being experienced by local residents in this area. This has now been arranged and work should start on the 1st November after which the area will be tarmaced over.

COUNCILLORS' SURGERIES ARE BACK...
We will be re-starting our Councillors' surgeries at Edgeley Library from 11am to 12pm from next month . They will be on the first Saturday of the month. You don't need an appointment. The dates for the next 6 months are: 6th Nov. 4th Dec. 8th Jan. 5th Feb. 5th Mar. 2nd Apr.

Just to let you know..............
Contractors working on behalf of Stockport Council will be undertaking drainage works on Stockport Road, Cheadle Heath between the junctions of Beacon Way and Myrtle Street. These works are scheduled to take place between 4th October and 5th October and will require the use of temporary two way signals between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30. Best avoided if possible because of possible queues.

MAST APPLICATION FOR EDGELEY ROAD REFUSED.
We strongly opposed a mast in this location as did many local residents. The Decision Notice was issued today.
In accordance with section 60 (2B) and (2C) of the Town and
Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by section 4(1) of the
Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013)
PRIOR APPROVAL IS REFUSED

UU need to make improvements to the Cheadle Heath site to stop the ongoing problems of odour. We have tried meeting with them, writing to them, Council Officers have met with them and still the problems go on. We know issues have been raised over the years but over the last few months the problem has got worse. Below is a link to a petition which we want to present to both UU and the Council pushing for much more effective action. Please sign and share.
https://www.change.org/p/the-people-of-edgeley-cheadle-heath-a-call-for-united-utilities-to-act-on-cheadle-heath-wastewater-treatment-works

Some advance notice about Cheadle Heath Water Treatment works.
One of the digester tanks has failed and needs to be emptied for repair. UU have advised that odour is unlikely due to the kind of process being undertaken. They want to start the work w/c 6th September and it will take about 3 weeks, maybe less. We have asked that letters are sent to local residents. Council Officers are aware of the work and are in contact with UU. If you do experience odour then please use the contact details we have previously circulated:
Call 24/7 on 0345 672 3723 - Details of the call will be passed to the Production Manager for Stockport for investigation and feedback, or
Use the Feedback facility on UU's webpage
www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/contact-us/ Information will be fed through for investigation and action.
General maintenance is also planed for later in the year and we will post details when we have more information.

Stockport County have applied for a licence to hold 6 large outdoor events per year lasting up to 5 days each. The application details are below. Anyone who wishes to make any comments about this application has until the 8th September to do so at https://www.stockport.gov.uk/current-licence-applications/make-a-representation

Applicant: Stockport County 2010 Limited
Premises Address: Edgeley Park, Stockport County AFC, Hardcastle Road, Edgeley, Stockport, SK3 9DD
Variation applied for:
• to permit licensable activities to take place both indoors and outdoors
• to add ‘performances of dance’ and ‘anything similar to live music, recorded music and performances of dance’ as a licensable activity
• to add non-standard timings for New Year’s Eve
• to increase the maximum capacity of the premises to 19,000
This shall be for the purpose of a maximum of 6 ‘large outdoor events’ per calendar year, which shall last no more than 5 days each.
Also:
• to add conditions governing the operation of ‘large outdoor events’
These conditions limit the timings of regulated entertainment and sale of alcohol at large scale events such that they must cease at 10.30pm.
Last date for representations: 8 September 2021

Current licence applications Information about making a representation about an application.

The benches in Alexandra Park around the bowling are in a very poor state and have been for a while. We have been chasing the Council to make the repairs that are needed but have just received the following information which is going to delay repairs even more:
"We are aware of the necessary repairs for these benches and a job has been raised with our contractors. Unfortunately our contractor is really struggling to source the necessary timber at the moment as there appears to be a nationwide shortage with the suppliers. We have it on our schedule to do and will give this some priority once the timber becomes available".
We'll let residents know when we have any more information

IF YOU LIVE ON THE SHERBORNE RD/CHELTENHAM RD ESTATE THIS IS FOR YOU. - As you may know Sustrans/TfGM have been looking at traffic issues, particularly rat-running, through the estate in connection with the Cheadle Heath and Cheadle Active Neighbourhood scheme. They have passed their final proposals for a 3 month trial to the Council and you will get your chance to have your say when the details are sent out to everyone in the area on the 6th August with a two week period to the 20th August to send in your views.
In brief the trial will install road closures at the following locations:
• SHERBORNE RD, at the junction of Heathside Road (diagonal point closure only)
• CHELTENHAM RD, between Elm Road South and Heathside Road.
There will be other proposals for neighbouring Cheadle Hulme which will be shown on the leaflet. This is all with a view to stopping the rat-running through the estate and reduce traffic volume in the area, making it safer for everyone, drivers included.
Please read the letter that will be delivered and send in your comments. Clearly it is residents who live in the area and will be most affected whose views are most important.

We have been notified about another application for the installation of a 20metre high monopole supporting 6 antennas, 2 transmission dishes and 4 telecommunications cabinets at the junction of St Lesmo Road and Edgeley Road. We have forwarded our objections to the applicant on the basis that this site is within the Alexandra Park Conservation Area and is directly opposite residential properties. This section of pavement is already cluttered with a telecommunication boxes, telephone kiosk, street lights, bus shelter, a bench and a tree. The application reference is 082021 (https://planning.stockport.gov.uk/PlanningData-live/) If you wish to make a comment, click on the comments section, register and send in your views.

On one of the hottest days of the year, we were delighted to officially open the latest affordable housing development on the old Booth Street Depot site. 31 affordable homes have been built by the Viaduct Housing Partnership, set up by Labour to build as many affordable homes as possible. Stockpot County Club and supporters also joined us to celebrate the naming of the access road Bergara Close, after Danny Bergara, one of Stockport County's most successful managers.

THE SUNSHINE FROG HAS ARRIVED ON CASTLE STREET
Early this morning the Sunshine Frog hopped on to Castle Street where it will stay until September. This frog has been sponsored by Stockport County (thank-you), the Ward Councillors and the design inspired by a local resident and his daughter. Hopefully, everyone will enjoy the latest addition to Castle Street. There are 21 frogs in the town centre and another 17 across Stockport. In the autumn they will be auctioned off to raise as much money as possible for charity.

UPDATE ON NORTHGATE ROAD PAVEMENT WORKS
We have been advised that the works on Northgate Road will now be delayed by approximately 10 working days due to the impact of Covid -19 on our contractors. Works are now expected to commence from 2nd August 2021. The Council is working with TLC and if there is an opportunity to bring the work forward it will be.

Today, the new Bergara Close street sign was unveiled by Danny Bergara's daughter, Ellen, with members of the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative and local Councillors Sheila Bailey and Matt Wynne. We were absolutely delighted that Ellen could join us. We have made sure that the new development off Mercian Way will be reached via Bergara Close as a tribute to Stockport County's hugely popular and most successful Manager. Our thanks also to Sharon at Edgeley Fabrics for donating the blue cloth for the ceremony.

UPDATE - 9 ABERDEEN CRESCENT
After asking for progress with this application the Planning Officer has sent the following information.
"I write to confirm that the application (DC/081673) is currently invalid given that the submitted details are inadequate, in particular it is noted that the description of development does not refer to the number rooms and whether or not they are single occupancy and the lack of a proposed site plan detailing car parking, cycle storage, refuse storage areas, and useable amenity/garden space, additionally the submitted plans fail to illustrate access to two of the rooms within the roof space".
These are all details that need to be included in a planning application. The Planning Officer has asked for more information from the applicants and until this is received the application cannot be validated and won't appear on the weekly plans list. We will keep residents informed

ALL CHANGE FOR EDGELEY ROAD - tree work now on Sunday
We've been told United Utilities will be undertaking maintenance works to their apparatus on Edgeley Road, Cheadle Heath between the junctions of Churchley Road and Huntley Road. The works are scheduled to take place on 7th July and will require the use of temporary stop and go boards between the hours of 09:30 and 14:30. This means the felling of the tree has been moved to early Sunday morning to avoid having two sections of Edgeley Road restricted at the same time.

We've just been notified.....
At last, after months of pestering by Councillors and Council Officers Network Rail are going to fell this dead tree at Morrisons roundabout. We have been concerned that it could fall across the road at any time. Residents have reported branches and bark falling off onto the pavement.
A road closure has been requested by Network Rail and they expect to do the work on the 7th or 8th July so if possible, avoid this part of Edgeley Road on those days.

Sorry folks, but it was inevitable. After the first application was withdrawn there has just been a revised application received by the Council for 9 Aberdeen Crescent. HMOs are totally inappropriate in residential areas. These properties are much needed family homes and should stay as such.
This is the application. At least they are being honest about their intentions this time. - Three storey rear extension, construction of a roof dormer and internal alterations to an existing residential property with change of use to a House of Multiple Occupancy.
The reference number for the new application is DC/081673 which will appear on the weekly list once the application is validated. The applicants know how many local residents had objected to their first application but they really don't care. As soon as it appears on the Council's weekly plans list, send in your comments - https://planning.stockport.gov.uk/PlanningData-live/

Several residents have asked us about the removal of trees in Alexandra Park.. Nobody likes to see trees felled unless there are good reasons for it. Council policy states that for every tree felled two will be planted. We have said that at least twelve should be in the park and the rest in other locations across Edgeley and Cheadle Heath.

This is the response from the Council. "The tree works at Alexandra Park were identified in a routine inspection in 2019 and there are sound arboricultural reasons for all of the work being carried out. A total of 12 trees these have been identified for removal, of these 10 are either dead or in such poor condition that they will be dead in the next three years. Two other trees will be removed as they are less than 1 metre from a building. Of all the trees to be removed, only 2 are of any significant size, unfortunately though, both of these trees have either major decay at their base or a major structure failure in the unions".

Yesterday was Armed Forces Day so we’re re-posting our post from the 27th June 2020. We didn‘t think then we’d still not be able to celebrate properly our Armed Forces and the great work they do for us all.
In the past this has been a great day on Castle Street and in other venues across Stockport. This year events have had to be cancelled or severely curtailed because of Covid-19. However, Sheila, Philip and Matt do not want today to pass without saying thank-you to all our Armed Forces for their commitment and dedication both in this country and in locations across the world. Edgeley and Cheadle Heath folk have always turned out to support our Armed Forces so, because we can't do this in any other way, please share this post to as many people as possible.

Masts will not go ahead outside Aldi or at Edgeley Fold - Victory for residents
The appeal against refusal by the Council for a mast installation outside Aldi in Cheadle Heath has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate which means it will not now go ahead. E & CH Councillors and residents objected to this location. This is the decision that has been made.
18. The overall harm caused in respect of the main issue is considerable and the moderate benefits of the proposal and other considerations do not outweigh this harm. As such, the appeal is dismissed.
We have also spoken today to the company wanting to site a mast at Edgeley Fold and can confirm that they will not now be submitting an application for this site. We are not opposed to these masts but think there are better locations that do not impact so much on residents or the Conservation Area.

Cllr Sheila Bailey, representing Ward colleagues and local residents, attended a meeting with UU and Council Officers regarding the ongoing problems of odour at the plant. We now have a commitment of better communications, regular meetings, notice of any maintenance work or breakdowns that may create an odour nuisance and a commitment to respond quickly to residents complaints. The site will be monitored on a daily basis. UU have provided the following contacts and have asked that residents notify them whenever there is a problem:
Call 24/7 on 0345 672 3723 - Details of the call will be passed to the Production Manager for Stockport for investigation and feedback, or
use the Feedback facility on UU's webpage
www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/contact-us/ Information will be fed through for investigation and action. Let's see if all this makes a difference.

On the 14th June Stockport Town Hall was lit up in memory of all those who so tragically lost their lives in the Grenfell tragedy. In June 2017 a fire started in Grenfell Tower and spread rapidly due to non-compliant cladding. 72 people lost their lives. Within weeks Stockport's Labour-led Council had pledged to retrofit all 22 of its tower blocks with sprinkler systems. This work has now been completed at a cost of £10m and safety has been increased for residents and for firefighters.

TLC, the Council's Waste Collection contractor, has not been able to complete all green bin rounds because of a shortage of drivers. This is due to sickness and self-isolating. The list of streets missed in Edgeley will be added to the Council's website and more information about the situation can be found at https://www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/bins-and-recycling
Urgent action is being taken to source additional drivers to deal with the back log and enable all rounds to go out as soon as possible.

Bins and recycling Including types of bins, collection dates and collection issues.

From 1st June court bailiffs can carry out evictions again. The Covid-19 ban on evictions for private tenants ends tomorrow. As a private tenant you have rights. If you are faced with eviction contact; https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction for advice and support.
If you are based in Greater Manchester, you can call Shelter on 0344 515 1640 for advice and guidance between the hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday
Alternatively you can contact Stockport Homes at:
https://www.homeless.org.uk/homeless-england/service/stockport-homes-housing-options-team or phone 217 6016
You can also message us on this page with your details and we will pass them on for you. There is help and advice available.

Eviction - Shelter England Get advice about the eviction process, stopping eviction by bailiffs, how to deal with rent arrears and illegal evictions.

This old notice board in Hollywood Park has been reported several times by us and local residents but now its in danger of falling over and we have asked for it to be removed this coming week, as well as the tree that is blocking one of the paths in the park.
We have also asked for all the faded give-way and 20 mph markings throughout the Sherborne Rd/Cheltenham Rd estate to be renewed and this work should be completed by the end of this week.

If you catch a whiff from the direction of Cheadle Heath Sewage Works please let us know the date, time and location. We did think we'd sorted it with very few complaints over the last few years. But, we spoke too soon and over March/April and May we know there have been problems. UU claim they are carrying out routine maintenance work but in parts of Cheadle Heath the odour has been totally unacceptable. We asked the Council's Environmental Health Officer to contact UU and we have done so frequently over the last few months. We have pushed UU to act in the past and we can do so again!

There have been some fantastic photos of the ducklings and goslings at the Edgeley reservoirs taken by Edgeley residents. The area is a wildlife haven, or it should be. We have received reports from residents about mindless and cruel behaviour by some youths who think its fun to thrown stones and rocks at the birds, frighten them and possibly injure them which means they won't survive. We have contacted the Police, the RSPCA, the RSPB and the Council's Wildlife and Greenspace Officers. Somebody somewhere must know who these young people are. If anyone has any information please pass it on to the Police or to us. Cruelty to animals is a criminal offence.

IN APPRECIATION OF EVERYONE WHO STANDS FOR ELECTED OFFICE
Having gone through, I think 9 local elections as the candidate and been a Councillor for many years, I would like to say a word in support of anyone who puts their head above the parapet, puts themselves forward representing a political party or in any other way and asks people to support them. Sometimes, in these days of social media, they are subjected to unfair and, in some cases, personal abuse from so-called keyboard warriors and it can be rough and tough. But without them we wouldn't have a democracy and a choice so, to all candidates who stood in the range of elections that have just taken place, a deserved THANK YOU and WELL DONE!

Parking in the area outside Edgeley Discount Store on Castle Street has meant that pedestrians have had to walk out into the road which is very dangerous, particularly when there is poor visibility. We have, for a while, been asking the Council to reinstate the footpath along this stretch and we are pleased the work is currently programmed to start w/c 4th May. It will take place between 7.30am and 4.30pm. and, when completed, make it much safer for pedestrians using this section of Castle Street. The work involves:
• Reinstating the footway across the redundant vehicle access, including installation of kerb side bollards;
• Installation of additional drainage;
• Relaying existing tegula block paving;
• Removing closed bus stop and reinstating tegula block paving.

Some good news about Edgeley Library. Hours will extend from Monday 26th April. This will include more days open, as well as an evening opening until 6.00pm. This brings Edgeley Library in line with those libraries open in the borough. These are the new opening hours.
Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 12pm - 6pm
Thursday Closed
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

The new pavements on Carmichael Street from Edgeley Road to Old Chapel Street look great. Now that they're finished, the carriageway, which is in a very bad state, will be resurfaced. The work will start on Monday, 26th April, 7.30am to 5pm. Unfortunately, it will be necessary to close sections of the footpath while the work takes place. This section of road has been on our list for upgrading for a while and we're very pleased to see its now happening.

It was great to see Navendu Mishra MP in Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward supporting Cllr Sheila Bailey's campaign. The letters to all postal voters are now being delivered and Sheila's Election Address is on its way round. A huge thank you to all the fantastic volunteers both from inside and outside the Ward who are helping make sure we have a Labour-led Council after polling day on the 6th May. Good luck to all Labour candidates

Several residents have contacted us about this very large, dead tree at Morrisons roundabout. The tree is on Network Rail land and they have been contacted several times about removing it. This is the latest information from Network Rail.
I’ll raise it with the Team again. It was inspected and they are aware of, and have accepted, the risk and liability. They do have a back log of work at the moment due to Covid restrictions and are steadily working through it.
We don't think this is good enough and have written back to them. The tree is at a very busy roundabout for pedestrians and road users and needs felling before it falls.