The Petition of residents of Hartford, and others,

The proposed slip road to be built at Bradburns Lane and Chester Road will destroy a triangular grassed area with an ancient fountain, leading to the irreversible loss of a major village feature; further declares that the proposals ignore the area’s status as a designated conservation area; believes that the slip road will offer no benefit to Hartford residents and that it would only marginally improve traffic flow from Winnington Urban Village; further believes that the slip road would be a waste of £500,000 of public money; and supports the Hartford Civic Society, the Parish Council and the Borough Conservation Manager in their opposition to the proposed slip road.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take whatever action possible to prevent the construction of the slip road at Bradburns Lane and Chester Road.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Mike Hall, Official Report, 20 May 2009; Vol. 492, c. 1606 .]

[P000374]

Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:

Cheshire West and Chester Council, as Highway Authority, has responsibility for the provision of traffic management measures on roads within their boundary.

This scheme referred to covers the junction work at Bradburns Lane and changes on the A559 Chester Road including:

Capacity improvements and new pedestrian crossing facilities, along with new facilities for cyclists, at the Bradburns Lane and The Green junctions.

More pedestrian refuges to help people cross the road and to encourage a reduction in traffic speed.

Footway widening at points where the narrowness of footways causes problems for pedestrians, particularly those with wheelchairs or pushchairs.

New dropped kerbs with improvements for visually impaired people at side roads to help pedestrians, particularly those with wheelchairs or pushchairs.

Improvements to bus stops by providing new shelters.

Kerb realignment at some side road junctions to increase road safety by slowing down traffic and to help pedestrians.

Road safety improvements to the junction layout of School Lane and The Green.

I understand that the issues raised by the Civic Society were carefully considered by the Highway Authority, Parish Council and local Members who also took into account the general benefit to Hartford residents and other road users that they believe this scheme will bring.

Work on the scheme started on 18 May 2009 and should be completed by the end of August 2009.