MIDDLEWICH’S roads are the worst in the borough.
That is what Town Mayor Simon McGrory argues who says he will be putting pressure on Cheshire East Council for a package of highway repairs.
He said: “It is clear that Middlewich’s roads have big defects and yet we see no sign of them being repaired.
“The problems along the A54 and A533 can be clearly seen caused by HGVs and the sheer volume of traffic.
“Lewin Steet suffers with dropped gullies and outside Dave's Angling Shop there is an awful stretch of road where the surface has just broken away.
“On Hayhurst Avenue from its junction with Long Lane, the road is surface is not only crumbling but the speed humps are falling apart and are unmarked to warn motorists.
“Another example is Brooks Lane, an industrial area that has had some road resurfaced recently but most of it is still laden with holes and a real bone shaker.”
Clr McGrory spoke out after Conservative-led Cheshire East Council recently announced its summer programme of highway repairs.
The Middlewich First councillor agrees with a statement from Cheshire East Labour Group which claims that the majority of roads scheduled for repair are in Tory-controlled wards.
“It does seem that there is some money for the primary A roads and yet Middlewich still has big problems without any sign of solution,” he added.
“Who picks up the bill for all this wear and tear? The motorist does. They pay their Council Tax and road tax and still have to pay more to mend their car when it falls into a hole that they originally paid taxes to prevent happening.”
Paul Starkey, an engineer for Bentley from Winsford, drives to Middlewich about three times a week to visit family.
“I dread the journey,” said the 46-year-old.
“If you report a road defect in Winsford, within a week the work is done or marked up and ready to be done. In Middlewich, nothing’s done for weeks.
“I’m sick and tired of it. It’s a good little town with great festivals and you see the roads and you think what a mess. It reflects badly on Middlewich.”
Clr Road Menlove, cabinet member for environment, said Cheshire East Labour Group's claims were 'completely unfounded' and that highway repairs had 'nothing to do with politics'.
But he would not comment specifically on the state of Middlewich's roads.
He said: "This is part of a two-year rolling programme and the recently published list refers to sites that require a full road closure for works to be completed safely – it is not a full comprehensive list and only a snap shot of a wider schedule of work.
"And it has to be pointed out that the programme is not always directed at roads that are in the worst condition. We gain maximum benefit by treating roads before they deteriorate, which extends the life of the road surface.
"The patching and preparation programme will begin in due course and the highways staff will take into account the views of the local highways sub groups and concerns of all elected members."
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