Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Ward Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Ward Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. These are available the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.
Minutes:
Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.
The following issues were raised:-
(1) An update was requested in relation to the former Scout Hut on Beech Avenue, Hazel Grove.
In response it was stated that vegetation had been cleared from the site and discussions were ongoing with the Council’s Estate department on its future use. It was cautioned that there were various factors that may limit the future uses of the site.
(2) An update was requested in relation to flooding adjacent to the Grapes Public House.
In response it was stated that there had been clearance of debris from the gullies and footways, and funding had been identified to complete the works, although due to the need for extensive road closure on the A6 the completion of the works had been delayed.
(3) An update was requested in relation to double parking on Hazelwood Road.
In response it was stated that Council officers had been asked to investigate these concerns, but that there was not an easy solution, as there were a number of schemes in the vicinity that were limiting the availability of on street parking spaces.
(4) An update was requested in relation to the future of the former Royal Oak Public House.
In response it was stated that a planning application had been submitted by McCarthy & Stone, who had done some pre-application consultation. Given the level of interest from the public it was expected that the application would be considered by the Area Committee in the future.
(5) Concerns that the phasing of the lights at the end of Commercial Road were letting insufficient vehicles through onto the A6.
In response it was stated that officers had been asked to investigate the remodelling and rephrasing of the junction.
(6) Possible remodelling of the Torkington Road/ A6 junction to improve the flow of traffic turning left from Torkington Road onto the southbound A6.
In response it was stated that this had been investigated but the whole junction redesign would cost in the region of £250,000 and it was unclear whether the improvements in flow could justify the expenditure.
(7) Could right turning traffic from Torkington Road into Hazelwood Road be prohibited to improve traffic flow?
In response it was stated that this was likely to create further problems of traffic flow.
(8) Concerns were expressed about the phasing of the traffic signals on the A6 between School Street and Asda.
In response it was stated that the responsibility for the signal sequencing rested with Greater Manchester Urban Traffic Control, and that light sequencing was kept under review. It would be difficult to justify any changes until the completion of the A6MARR.
(9) Concerns were expressed about cars turning onto the A6 from roads near the Civic Hall and the Doctor’s Surgery but passing through red lights on the pedestrian crossing.
In response the concerns were acknowledged, but the limited options available to the Council to try to prevent this was stressed.
(10) The recent clearing of vegetation and other rubbish from the open space to the front of Hazel Grove Clinic was welcomed and clarification sought on whether this was now part of programmed works.
In response it was stated that the open space was not the Council’s property so any works undertaken would be ad hoc.
(11) Refuse/ litter bins on Hazelwood Road and Torkington Road were too small and not emptied frequently enough.
In response it was stated that the problem was due in part to resident putting household waste in these bins, and letters had been written to nearby residents to discourage the practice. It was also stated that local councillors had been pressing for changes to the cleansing schedule in Hazel Grove, particularly along the A6, asking for greater weekend work to reflect the busy night time and weekend economy.
(12) Concerns were expressed about gulley cleansing and the possiblility of flooding.
In response it was stated that the Council had commissioned an independent review of the flooding incidents in previous years, and the Council had developed a response to the recommendations contained within it, the details of which were available on the Council website. As a result of the flooding there had been a number of changes and improved understanding of the drainage of Poise Brook and improved responses from agencies to issues that may arise.