Nothing to do with the town council

Dear Sir,

In response to J.L. of Congleton whose letter was published on page 27 of your edition dated 25th June 2020, as one of the Congleton Town Councillors I feel I must make it very clear to J.L. and everyone else that the decision to take away the parking bays in Congleton had nothing to do with Congleton Town Council, its councillors or its officers but was a decision imposed without consultation by Cheshire East Highways.

Congleton Town Council spent many hours considering the needs of traders, safety of the public and travel needs of residents at a variety of meetings. Feeding into these meetings was the opinions and concerns raised by many of the high street traders.

Congleton Town Council was disappointed by the blanket approach adopted by Cheshire East Council Highways and so Congleton Town Council paid for a promotion on page 12 of the Congleton Chronicle dated 11th June 2020 in which our Town Council set out in detail the suggestions it had made to Cheshire East Council. This included introducing pedestrian passing points on Swan Bank, Lawton Street and High Street as well as introducing signage indicating one-way direction on pavements with safer crossing points where appropriate.

Full details of the recommendations made by Congleton Town Council to Cheshire East Highways regarding Covid19 emergency measures can be seen online at congleton-tc.gov.uk.

Congleton Town Council has made it clear to Cheshire East Council of our disappointment at the imposition of their Covid19 emergency measures and is actively seeking to have them altered.

I have owned and managed several businesses over many years including a launderette on a High St for which the ability of its customers to be able to park nearby was crucial. So, J.L. can rest assured that the needs of our local businesses are very much at the forefront of my mind because without thriving businesses, we are not able to have a thriving community.

Yours faithfully,

Coun Robert Douglas,

Congleton