It’s not just Coare Street that has traffic issues

The former Mayor of Macclesfield and landlord of The British Flag on Coare Street has hit out at Cheshire East Council for failing to act over traffic problems there.

Lloyd Roberts says too many cars are using the access only route – and that the council should install a road block to prevent drivers cutting through – as voted for in a ballot last year after a consultation process.

Well we have news for you Mr Roberts – drivers don’t just ignore the signs on Coare Street. Vehicles have been using Chestergate, Mill Street and The Market Place as short cuts for years – despite those parts of the streets being pedestrianised and prohibited to traffic.

One of the worst is the lower pedestrianised section of Mill Street (from its junction with Queen Victoria Street) which has become the route of choice for most taxis operating in the town.

Mr Roberts, said that almost two years ago the council recorded 1,900 vehicles using the route during a single day. Out of the 1,900, it was found nearly 1,600 vehicles were using the road simply to cut through via Beech Lane or Westminster Road, a number Mr Roberts says is affecting residents’ quality of life.

Mr Roberts said: “Coare Street is access only, serving the people who live in and around it. I was told when in council that funding was secured and the closure would go ahead during this year’s school summer holidays. The plan was to close Coare Street, not, as the council seems to suggest now, to just replace the existing regulation with ‘No Waiting’ orders – what good will that do?”

Speaking of the effect of the traffic volumes on residents, he said: “This daily and continual bombardment is affecting not only the quality of residents’ lives but also the value of their homes and the wellbeing of their children through noise and air pollution.”

Deputy Leader Councillor David Brown, cabinet member for highways, said they will not close the road but plan to introduce no waiting regulations.

He said: “Cheshire East Highways has begun a process to bring about changes to the use of Coare Street, Macclesfield by motorists for the benefit of residents.

“It is proposed existing Road Traffic Regulations are revoked and will be replaced with specified ‘No Waiting’ regulations. This is to address a number of concerns raised by residents and local ward members that existing traffic regulations were not proving effective. The proposals also apply to Pownall Street and Pearle Street in Macclesfield. Residents will be kept informed as the process for formalising the changes progresses during the coming months. There is no plan to commence any work this summer as road traffic orders need to be put in place.”

We reckon traffic signs will do no good whatsoever if they are not rigorously enforced – and these days the police don’t want to know – so the regulations are ignored.

Either give responsibility back to the police – or learn to live with it.