Dear fellow residents,

Hope you're doing well!  I've been really busy over the past few weeks and I wanted to share some updates with you, especially if you're not following my regular facebook or instagram posts, just so that you don't miss out on anything!

Here's my latest newsletter update with news on some of the work I've been doing across our community, including getting things fixed in our area, potholes, road gritting, more tree issues - as well as some of upcoming events including football and other activities for our young people.  Plus, can you help Scarlette achieve her dream to visit Borneo?

If you want to see my previous newsletters you can read them all online.

You can always see my latest updates on my facebook page.  Remember to click like and follow to stay updated.  I'm also on Instagram and now Tiktok too.

Please forward or share this newsletter with your St Barnabas area friends and neighbours so I can keep other residents up to date on what I am up to in our area.

Anyone can sign up to receive my newsletter by visiting

www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/newsletter

If you've missed a previous newsletter, you can view them all online here.

FREE WEEKLY FOOTBALL SPORTS SESSIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

I am thrilled to be working with Crewe Alexandra in the Community, supported by Guinness Housing, to bring more free activities for young people in Leighton Brook Park, right in the heart of our Crewe St Barnabas community.  Great for the kids to get out and play football!

WHEN & WHERE

Start Date: Wednesday 25 February

Every Wednesday | 6pm – 7.15pm

Location: Floodlit Sports MUGA, Leighton Brook Park, Frank Webb Avenue, CW1 3NE

Travel: Walk down on foot, or parking is available on Frank Webb Avenue, adjacent to the park.

WHO CAN JOIN

Ages 8–16 | Completely free | No booking required – just turn up!

WHY GET INVOLVED

Improve fitness and stay active

Build confidence and teamwork skills

Make new friends and connect with the community

Have fun and enjoy a safe, welcoming environment

These sessions are a fantastic way for young people to enjoy sport, channel their energy positively, and be part of something special in our local community.

Don’t miss out – come and join us!

OUT AND ABOUT, GETTING THINGS DONE

It was great to once again join our Crewe Police local beat officers recently for a drop-in surgery and a foot patrol around the St Barnabas area. These visits are always valuable, giving us the chance to catch up, discuss local concerns and be available for residents to raise any issues directly.

While out on patrol we noticed an issue with the new sign on Redwood Drive that I had previously requested. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for the problem to be sorted, and now everything is in place as it should be. Another small but important improvement for our community - just as I like it, getting things done for our area!

FAMILY FUN AFTERNOON AT LEIGHTON BROOK PARK

This school holiday half-term, join us on Thursday 19 February, 1-3pm at Leighton Brook Park (CW1 3NE) for an afternoon of sport, play and nature-based activities.

A free meal will be provided, and children over 8 can attend independently. No need to book – just turn up and sign in!

I’m thrilled to continue working with Wishing Well to bring even more activities for our young people to Leighton Brook Park, right in the heart of our community. A big thank you to the Wishing Well team for making this possible!

For more information, call 07894 123413.

GETTING OUR ROADS ACTUALLY GRITTED

Over the Christmas period, a number of residents contacted me with serious concerns about road safety during the snowfall. Several accidents took place around the new roundabout on Minshull New Road, including one that resulted in a street light being hit and later removed. It was also clear that the road from Tottys Hall Way from the hospital to the roundabout had not been gritted.

I raised these same concerns last year. At the time, I was told the roads were not included on the gritting maps as they were newly built. I asked for them to be assessed and considered for inclusion.

I’ve continued to push on this, because when you look at the gritting map, the issue is obvious. The blue roads are gritted, but there is a major gap at Tottys Hall Way and Brian Palin Way that people must travel through to reach the hospital. That is not acceptable, especially in icy conditions.

Unfortunately, I’ve again been told today that my request has been declined. The response I received was that Tottys Hall Way “was reassessed and does not currently meet the criteria to be added to the routes.”

I’ve written back to Highways asking for this decision to be reconsidered. These are key routes, on gradients, used by residents and emergency services, and I will continue pressing the case to improve safety for everyone.

If you want to support my call for these routes to be gritted, please email letusknow@cheshireeast.gov.uk

POTHOLE PATROL UPDATE – MINSHULL NEW ROAD

Back out in my frequented spot this week for more pothole patrol on Minshull New Road.

Despite reporting all the potholes before Christmas, meeting up with a highways officer on site a couple of weeks ago, and checking the area again last week and earlier this week, there’s been almost no work done so far.  

Rest assured, I’ll keep chasing this up. I’ve also asked if the debris left from the potholes can be cleared to make the road safer.

And if anyone in St Barnabas fancies lending a bit of moral support to a lowly councillor battling the potholes, I’m accepting tea, biscuits, and motivational comments. Preferably all three.

HOME BARGAINS / DUNELM STEPS – FIXED!

Back in December, I shared concerns from several residents about the steps in the Home Bargains and Dunelm car park by the Lifestyle Centre on Forge Street.

Residents had told me the steps were steep and only had a handrail on one side. One person mentioned that when pulling a shopping trolley up, there was nothing to hold on to – clearly not ideal!

As the steps are on the retail park’s land, not council land, Cheshire East couldn’t take action.

But giving up isn’t my style! I tracked down the retail park landlord and got in touch. Working with Dunelm, I’m really pleased to say a new handrail has now been installed.

You asked, I acted – and the steps are safer for everyone!

FRANK WEBB AVENUE TREES UPDATE

For several years I’ve been pushing for proper maintenance of the trees on Frank Webb Avenue.

Residents have told me they haven’t been pollarded for years. Over that time, I’ve heard from 17 different households about concerns over the lack of maintenance.

Some trees are even touching roofs, blocking street lights, causing huge leaf fall, making roads and pavements slippery, and damaging driveways, garden walls and cars.

I've continually raised these issues with highways. On one occasion, I was even called into a highways meeting to “manage my expectations” about getting anything done. My response was simple: I represent the residents where we live, and I will continue to call for the work that’s needed.  That's a councillors job, right?

Last July, I met with a senior highways officer and we identified many trees on Frank Webb Avenue – and a few elsewhere – that needed work to maintain them. 

But this week, without any discussion, a tree on Frank Webb Avenue was cut down to an ugly stump. Apart from one tree on Darlington Avenue being pollarded, nothing else has been done.

This isn’t the outcome we wanted. I will continue to push for proper maintenance to keep our streets safe, well-lit, and looking cared for.

If you think this is as disappointing as I do, please email letusknow@cheshireeast.gov.uk

 and feel free to CC me at james.pratt@cheshireeast.gov.uk

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY LOOKING ITS BEST IN ST BARNABAS

While passing the roundabout on Minshull New Road near Morrisons Local earlier this week, I noticed litter starting to build up. I asked for it to be added to the schedule and I am pleased to say the street cleaning team have now been out and given it a proper tidy up.

A big thank you to the crew for their hard work. It has made a real difference and the area looks so much better.

If you ever spot an area that needs attention, please do report it so we can get it sorted and keep our community looking its best.

You can raise issues here:

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue/

Working together, we can take pride in where we live.

ROLLS AVENUE - STREET LIGHT SORTED!

Highways decided to replace a street light on Rolls Avenue near the two bus stops by Chassagne Square before Christmas, a resident raised this to me, as the job was unfinished and there was no actual light on the pole!  That's not much use?

I contacted highways about the issue, who advised they were ordering a new part.  I'm pleased to confirm the new light has been fitted and the area is properly lit again.

If you spot a street light that's out, please report it using this link

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue/

MEET SCARLTTE – FUNDRAISING FOR A LIFE-CHANGING BORNEO EXPEDITION!

I'd like you to meet Scarlette, a 13-year-old resident of Frank Webb Avenue, who is currently fundraising for an exciting four-week expedition to Borneo. During the trip, Scarlette will be helping out local communities and taking on a five-day jungle trek – an incredible adventure and learning experience.

Hi! My name is Scarlette im 13, and I’m raising funds for a once-in-a-lifetime 4-week expedition that will challenge me, teach me new skills, and help make a real difference.

During this expedition, I’ll take part in an adventurous 5-day jungle trek, exploring a unique tropical ecosystem and areas of wilderness that few people ever get to see. I’ll also be involved in long-term conservation projects, helping to protect this important environment for the future.

A huge part of this experience is living in the heart of a rural village, where I’ll work alongside local people and learn about their traditional culture. Together, we’ll support community development projects and contribute in a positive, hands-on way.

This expedition means a lot to me because it will help me grow in confidence, independence, and global awareness, while also giving back to the environment and community that host us. I’m working hard to raise the full cost myself, and any support—big or small—would mean the world to me.

The cost of the trip is being covered entirely through fundraising, and any support helps. Whether it’s a donation, sponsorship, or simply sharing the poster below, your help will make this amazing opportunity possible.

Let’s support Scarlette in making her dream a reality!

You can sponsor via her GoFundMe page

That's it for now as I can't fit everything on this monthly newsletter - but there are many more updates on local issues and upcoming events on my Facebook, Instagram and now tiktok so please do follow them to stay updated.

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If you have something you'd like me to look in to please do get in contact.

Councillor James Pratt

Crewe, St Barnabas Ward

Cheshire East & Crewe Town Council

Promoted by James Pratt of CNCA, 13 Churchyardside, CW5 5DE