Dear fellow residents,

Hope you’re all keeping well! I can’t quite believe we’re heading into May already — Easter feels like ages ago, and with the sunshine we’ve had lately, it’s really starting to feel like summer’s on the way.

Time for a quick update on what I’ve been up to around St Barnabas over the past month. In this newsletter, I’m giving a big shoutout to Wishing Well for their brilliant Easter HAF sessions for our young people, sharing some news on community policing, road safety, support for young people, an update on the alleyways projects, my thoughts on regeneration of our town centre and lots of other things I’ve been working on too.

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.

EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVTY SESSIONS - A GREAT SUCCESS!

It’s been brilliant to see so many of you getting involved in the activities across our community over the Easter half term. A big thank you to everyone who came along to our holiday sessions – especially the 105 young people who attended at Leighton Brook Park. 

Your support and enthusiasm really brought the events to life!

Special thanks to Gemma, Amy, Jack and the rest of The Wishing Well team for organising such fun and engaging activities for local children and families right here in our local park, and to Morrisons Crewe for their generous donation of Easter eggs, which made the Easter egg hunt session extra special. 🍫🐰

It was also lovely to see Crewe St Barnabas residents supporting the community throughout the week – a fantastic team effort that shows what can be achieved when we work together. 

✨ And there’s more to come! Keep following my Facebook page for updates on upcoming events and activities taking place in Crewe over the summer holidays – there’s lots to look forward to! 🌞

🚸 MINSHULL NEW ROAD – SAFETY CONCERNS 🚸

Many residents have contacted me recently about ongoing concerns with road safety and speeding on Minshull New Road. This is an issue I have been raising with Cheshire East Highways for some time without any meaningful response, despite my ongoing efforts.

From what I recall, there have been around four accidents in this area recently — the most recent only last week.

It’s particularly worrying that these incidents are happening near Leighton Academy one of our primary schools.

As part of the North West Crewe Package (NWCP) – the new road network around the hospital – work was supposed to be carried out to improve safety around the school and move traffic onto the new roads.

However, I am very concerned that during the opening of the NWCP, the Chair of the Highways Committee stated, “These works have also helped to create a safer environment for children coming to and from Leighton Academy – another positive aspect of this worthy project,” when, in fact, no work had actually been carried out!

Only last Sunday, Crewe St Barnabas Police carried out a speed check on Minshull New Road and recorded vehicles travelling at 41mph in what is a 30mph zone.

Please slow down – speeding puts lives at risk, especially near our schools.

I have written again to Highways and Planning to reiterate the urgent need for these works to be completed to protect our community, particularly our children.

I will keep pushing for improvements and will keep asking the questions until I get answers!

If you'd like to express your views on this issue, please email Cheshire East Council at letusknow@cheshireeast.gov.uk

I’ll continue to press for progress and will keep residents updated.

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR AREA

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Peter and Lauren from the Cheshire East Youth Support Team, and I came away truly inspired by the work they’re doing with young people across our borough. Their dedication, compassion, and practical support are making a real difference.

I’m really pleased to announce that as part of their outreach, the team will now be visiting Leighton Brook Park every Tuesday evening, dropping in between 5pm to 8pm. So, if you’re around the park on a Tuesday, do stop by and say hello 👋 – whether you’re a young person yourself, a parent, or just interested in the great work going on in our community.

This type of detached youth work is about much more than just being present – it’s about meeting young people where they are, on their own terms. It provides a safe, informal way for young people to access guidance, support, and someone to talk to – no pressure, no judgement. Whether it’s about school, relationships, mental health, or just day-to-day challenges, the youth workers are there to listen and help 💬💪

The initiative also helps to build trust and stronger relationships between young people and the wider community, which is essential for creating a more connected and respectful environment. By engaging directly with young people in their own spaces, we’re making it clear that they matter, they’re seen, and they’re supported.

And the benefits go beyond individual support – this kind of positive engagement plays a vital role in making public spaces like Leighton Brook Park feel welcoming, safe, and inclusive for everyone. It’s about building a sense of shared ownership and pride in our neighbourhoods 🤝

⚽ Don’t Forget – Street Sports on Wednesdays!

As part of the growing youth offer in our area, don’t forget that Street Sports, delivered by The Wishing Well Project, is also running every Wednesday from 5pm to 6pm, also in Leighton Brook Park. It’s a brilliant, free opportunity for young people to stay active, meet new friends, and have fun – all in a supportive, friendly setting.

These kinds of initiatives are exactly what we need to nurture positive futures, reduce antisocial behaviour, and create strong, connected communities. A big thank you to everyone involved in making them happen.

Let’s keep backing our young people – they’re the heart of Crewe’s future ❤️

FRANK WEBB AVENUE - STREET LIGHTING REPAIRS

If you remember my last newsletter I mentioned that I had been chasing highways for 15 months to get the repair to the street light outside the Premier shop on Frank Webb Avenue completed. 

So it was great to see the street lighting finally receiving the repairs I’ve been pushing for – especially the long-awaited repair to the partly installed street light outside the Premier shop. I’ve been chasing this repair for quite some time!

The improvements to the lighting outside the shop and near the bus stop on Frank Webb Avenue have made the area much brighter and safer for residents.

If you notice a street light that’s not working, you can report it by calling 0300 123 5020 or online here: https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue/

👮 WORKING FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY 🤝

Over the Easter break, I met with Crewe police's Inspector Jones to talk about community policing here in St Barnabas.

We spent a couple of hours walking around the area, chatting with residents and discussing local issues - thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with us!

Conversations like these really help shape the priorities for Crewe St Barnabas Police. We talked about a range of concerns, including anti-social behaviour, speeding vehicles, e-bikes, and more.

We'll be doing another walkabout soon, but in the meantime, you can still have your say. Share what matters most to you by completing the Residents' Voice Survey. Your input truly makes a difference. 👇

🗣📢 https://www.cheshire.police.uk/residentsvoicecrewe

(Make sure you select St Barnabas as our area when you complete it!)

🚗 ROUNDABOUT MARKINGS REPAINTED! 🚗

I’ve had a number of residents raise concerns with me about the traffic issues at the Crewe Road/Macon Way roundabout, particularly near the fire station and B&Q.

It's clear that gridlock has often been caused by blocked junction exits, with the box junction markings having worn away over time, making them barely visible.

I took this up with Highways, and while they didn’t agree with my suggestion of adding signs saying "Only enter the box junction if exit is clear," I’m pleased to share that they have now repainted the markings!

Fingers crossed this will make the junction clearer, and if we all stick to the rules, traffic flow should improve. Let’s help keep Crewe moving! 🚙💨

🚨 FLY-TIPPING ON REDWOOD DRIVE 🚨

I was recently out on Redwood Drive after concerns were raised by local residents about fly-tipping in the area.

I had some good conversations with residents and dropped off information to nearby homes about how to properly dispose of waste and how to report fly-tipping if you see it.

♻️ Don’t forget – you can dispose of household waste for free at Pyms Lane Household Waste and Recycling Centre (CW1 3PJ)

📞 To report fly-tipping, call 0300 123 5011 or use this link to report it online:

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

Let’s all do our bit to keep Crewe St Barnabas clean and tidy 🌱

🚧 MINSHULL NEW ROAD – RAILINGS (FINALLY!) REPLACED! 🎉

I think we had all got a bit too used to those ‘temporary’ plastic barriers near the roundabout on Minshull New Road! This is something I’ve been pushing highways to sort for a long time – and at last, it’s done!

A huge thank you to Andrea, our senior highways officer, for her help in getting this sorted. It looks so much better now! 👏👏

If you spot a highways issue, report it online or let me know:

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

ALLEYWAY PROJECTS UPDATE

Just a quick update on the alleyway projects I’ve been encouraging residents to nominate and get involved with.

I’ve had a brilliant response so far — it’s been fantastic to see so many of you showing pride in your neighbourhoods and a real passion for making Crewe a better place to live. Thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to get in touch!

At the moment, we’re still waiting on support from Cheshire East to help us get these projects moving. Unfortunately, the new Cleaner Crewe initiative has hit some delays due to staffing changes. Myself and others at Crewe Town Council are continuing to push for progress, but there’ll also need to be some new roles filled before we can really get things off the ground.

So please bear with us — your enthusiasm and patience really do make a difference while we work behind the scenes to keep things moving.

And if you haven’t already nominated your alleyway but think it could benefit from a bit of love and attention, it’s not too late! Just get in touch and let me know.

Get involved and nominate an alleyway here:

🔗 https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/CleanUp/

D&G BUSES ROUTE 42 EVENING SERVICE

Good news for Crewe St Barnabas residents! From 31 March 2025, a new later bus service (Route 42) was introduced, running from Crewe Bus Station to Leighton Hospital, with onward travel to Congleton.

This is a welcome addition to local transport options, providing better connectivity for those needing to reach the hospital or travel further in the evening.

Route & Timings

🕕 Monday – Friday Service:

Departs Crewe Bus Station at 18:20

Arrives at Leighton Hospital at 18:35

Continues to Congleton, arriving at 19:45

This service will follow a route via Frank Webb Avenue and Rolls Avenue, offering more convenience to local passengers.

Whether you’re heading to an evening hospital appointment, visiting a loved one, or commuting, this later bus service aims to improve accessibility for all.

Why This Matters

For many, public transport is a lifeline, and the introduction of this later bus is a step towards improving evening travel options. Reliable, affordable transport is crucial for ensuring everyone can access healthcare, work, and leisure activities without the worry of limited services.

Full Schedule & More Information

For the full timetable and route details, check here:

📄 Route 42 Full Schedule

This is a great step forward for public transport in Crewe—let’s make the most of it! 🚍

🎖️ EX-FORCES & YOUTH ARMED FORCES ENGAGEMENT EVENT – 21ST MAY 🎖️

Don’t miss this fantastic uniformed recruitment and engagement event at Crewe Market Hall on Tuesday 21st May, 9:30am–2:00pm.

Whether you're exploring a career in the Armed Forces or just curious, there’ll be something for everyone — from interactive displays and military vehicles to chances to meet representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, emergency services, and more.

Plus, connect with fantastic organisations supporting our Ex-Forces community, including the Royal British Legion, Walking With The Wounded, Armed Forces HQ, and others.

Free and open to all — come along with friends or family for an exciting, hands-on day.

Read the full details online

📧 For more info: Richard.stephenson-evans@cheshireeast.gov.uk

🛠️ In partnership with Cheshire East Council and the DWP

REGENERATING OUR TOWN CENTRE

As many of you know, my main focus as a councillor is on St Barnabas – it’s where we live, and the community I’m proud to represent.

But I also care deeply about the future of Crewe as a whole. A thriving town centre is important for all of us, and I’m keen to play my part in helping shape that success.

I was recently invited by Crewe Nub News to share my thoughts on regenerating our town centre — what’s needed, what’s working, and what more we can do.

If you’re interested, you can read the full article online and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts too.

That's it for now as I can't fit everything on monthlt 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.

🔔 FOLLOW MY FACEBOOK

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