Dear fellow residents,

Hope you’re all keeping well! I can’t quite believe we’re already at the May half-term holidays - time really flies. I can’t fit everything into my newsletters, so please do follow my social media for daily updates.

Here’s a quick update on what I’ve been up to around St Barnabas over the past month, including the Krazy Races, thanks to the Wilson House Beavers, another HMO proposal, the 25/26 Highways Plan, AFVBC 6th Birthday, more on road safety, the Crewe Jobs fair and many more updates for you.

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.

CREWE CRAZY RACES – A BRILLIANT DAY FOR OUR COMMUNITY!

☀️ What a fantastic time at the Crewe Krazy Races last Sunday! The sun was shining and thousands turned out to enjoy the action – whether trackside or watching on the big screen. The event village was buzzing too, with brilliant food, drink and atmosphere all round.

It was also lovely to chat with so many of our amazing local support organisations – your work in the community is so appreciated.

A special mention to the event’s charity partner, Newlife, for the incredible work they do supporting disabled and terminally ill children across the UK.

Thank you to everyone who came along today and made it such a special event. ❤️

A huge thank you to the brilliant team at Crewe Town Council, the Krazy Races team, and all the sponsors, including AO for helping bring this fantastic day to life! 🏁

You can see more photos from the day on a page I have set up here

I must also thank the brilliant Wilson House Beavers! 🙌

It was wonderful to join them for a community clean-up at Brooklands by Badger Avenue – all part of getting our town ready for the Crewe Krazy Races. 🏁🧹

The Beavers were full of energy, working hard in the evening sunshine to make Brooklands Park shine – and we had a blast doing it too! ☀️

A huge thanks as well to Crewe Town Council for providing the Beavers and Scouts with some fab new equipment – it'll make a real difference during their sessions and adventures. 

You can see some more photos here

WEST STREET – TIME TO SAY NO TO THE HMO? 

I’ve been out this week speaking with residents and delivering information about the proposed HMO at 523 West Street. Many have shared concerns about parking pressures and the extra rubbish and fly-tipping problems HMOs can sometimes bring. 🙄

Cheshire East Planning have only written to 39 properties – but this will affect a much wider area, especially around West Street and Hulme Street, which already has many issues with parking.

That’s why we need everyone to have their say.  I've had mine and put my thoughts forward, but you should have yours too.

Whether you want to object – or even support it – please make sure your voice is heard!

You can respond online, by phone or by post.

Find out more here

BIGGEST HIGHWAYS INVESTMENT IN 10 YEARS – AND WHAT ARE WE ACTUALLY GETTING IN ST BARNABAS? 

So, Cheshire East Highways have just announced their massive investment in our roads – the biggest in a decade, they say. Sounds brilliant, right?

Well, after more than two years of me banging on about the state of our roads here in St Barnabas, tirelessly pushing for proper action, let’s see what the grand plan is for us...

Drumroll, please… new street lights for Rolls Avenue. Yep, you read that right. These are probably the newest in the area anyway, given they’re part of a fairly new housing estate. Brilliant use of funds, isn’t it?

Meanwhile, the real headaches - the potholes and cracked pavements on Underwood Lane, Minshull New Road and West Street, the awful footpaths on Badger Avenue - are still waiting for their moment in the spotlight. Surprise, surprise.

I’ve asked the awkward questions, and I’ll keep at it. As soon as I get any concrete news on actual repairs, you’ll be the first to know.

Right, I’m off to go and bang my head against a wall. Stay tuned, folks. Your roads might still be a mess, but hey, at least they’ll be well-lit! 🙄

CREWE ARMED FORCES & VETERANS BREAKFAST CLUB – CELEBRATING 6 YEARS 

It was a real honour to be invited once again to the Crewe Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club last weekend at The Four Eagles, Crewe, joined by the new Cheshire East Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Anthony Harrison.

We’re incredibly lucky to have such a strong and supportive Armed Forces and Veterans community here in Crewe and Nantwich. The club meets every Saturday morning to give those currently serving, and those who have served, the chance to connect, share stories, and support one another.

It was fantastic to see some new faces and chat about how we can continue working together on projects to support our local forces community.  Many important ideas and issues were discussed this morning, highlighting the strength of the community and a shared commitment to supporting our veterans.

A huge thank you to Ian Warrender RE and his colleagues for all the hard work they put in to keep the group going – your dedication is truly appreciated by everyone.

If you’re serving, or have served, you’ll find a warm welcome every Saturday from 10am at The Four Eagles, pub (opposite Morrisons) in Crewe.

You can find out more here

LEIGHTON BROOK CLEAN-UP – A BIG THANK YOU! 

A couple of weeks ago, I was joined by a small but incredibly dedicated team of volunteers, and together we pulled on our wellies and got stuck into cleaning up the brook in Leighton Brook Park.

It wasn’t easy – and it definitely wasn’t the most fragrant job, but we managed to remove a shocking amount of waste, including a shopping trolley, two bikes, a garden chair, a small sofa, a tyre, and lots of other rubbish.

These kinds of items have no place in our natural spaces. Our local parks and brooks should be areas we can all enjoy – not dumping grounds. Keeping them clean is vital for both the environment and the community.

A huge thank you to the fantastic team on the day – especially Anna, Glyn, and Peter, who all worked incredibly hard and made a real difference.

Also a big thank you to Lindsay, Ingrid, and the Crewe Town Council Rangers and to Caroline from Cheshire East street cleansing team for helping arrange the collection and disposal of everything we cleared.

Let’s keep looking after our green spaces – together we can make a real difference! 💚

You can see some more photos here

NEW BIN TO TACKLE LITTER ON WINDSOR AVENUE & FRANK BOTT FIELD!

I’ve been speaking with a number of residents around Windsor Avenue about ongoing issues with litter – especially near the oak tree on Frank Bott Field – including broken glass on the footpath, which is a real safety concern.

I raised this with Cheshire East and I’m pleased to share that a new dual-purpose bin (for both litter and dog waste) has now been installed where the footpaths meet, to help catch more of the rubbish from people passing through.

From the photo, you can see it’s already proving useful – it’s full! I’ve asked for it to be emptied and for regular collections to be scheduled going forward.

Cheshire East no longer installs separate dog waste bins – all new bins now serve both purposes. As part of this update, a rather rusty old dog waste bin further along Windsor Avenue has been removed.

The new bin is roughly halfway between the one by the bus stop on Underwood Lane at the other end of Windsor Avenue and the one near the footpath to Rigby Avenue – so we’ve now got really good bin coverage around this open grass space.

Let’s all do our bit to help keep the area clean and safe. 💚

WORKING TOGETHER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

It was a pleasure to catch up with PCSOs Jen, Lorraine and Penny, Officer Dan (who kindly took the photo!), and the brilliant Gemma and Gemma from Start Well at The Wishing Well - who many of you will have met recently in our local park, providing fantastic activities for our young people over Easter and our weekly Street Sports sessions.

Earlier this month Crewe Police were supporting Operation Sceptre – a national campaign focused on tackling knife crime and raising awareness of its dangers. We spoke about this vital initiative, as well as wider discussions around local issues raised by residents.

As part of the campaign, officers have been visiting schools to educate young people about the risks of knife crime, carrying out knife sweeps across Crewe, and placing amnesty bins in key locations.

A huge thank you to everyone involved.

If you have any local concerns you'd like to raise to Crewe St Barnabas Police, please don’t hesitate to report them by calling 101 or by completing the Residents’ Voice Survey.

https://online1.snapsurveys.com/ResidentsVoice

Let’s keep working together to keep our community safe 💬👮‍♀️💙.

 ST BARNABAS COMMUNITY STAYS TOGETHER -BOUNDARIES CONFIRMED!

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has completed its review of council ward boundaries following recent consultations - and it’s great news for our community here in St Barnabas!

Our ward will stay exactly as it is, with no changes to the boundaries. I’m really pleased that the strength and identity of our local community has been recognised, and that we won’t be merged with other, different parts of Crewe.

The Commission said:

"The Liberal Democrats, Councillor Pratt and three local residents expressed support for our proposal to retain the existing boundaries of Crewe St Barnabas ward, content that its name and boundaries continue to reflect local identities. Given the support we have received for this ward during consultation, we are confirming our draft Crewe St Barnabas ward as final."

I’m very proud to represent our fantastic area, and although it’s still a while until the next local elections in 2027, I hope you’ll continue to support me in standing up for St Barnabas ward as I have done since 2023. 💛

A big thank you to everyone who supported keeping our community united - this result shows the power of local voices working together.

If you'd like to read the full report or learn more, you can find it here:

👉 https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/cheshire-east

LOOKING AFTER LEIGHTON BROOK PARK

This week I caught up with Wayne, one of the brilliant Crewe Town Council Rangers who helps look after our parks here in Crewe. He was out on Leighton Brook Park bright and early, making sure everything is clean and tidy for families to enjoy over the half term.

A massive thank you to Wayne and all the other rangers for the fantastic work they do around our area – it really makes a difference! 👏💚

FLY-TIPPING IN ST BARNABAS – WE ALL NEED TO ACT 

I’ve recently reported fly-tipping at West Street, Minshull New Road, outside Mayfield News, and on Darlington Avenue, Hulme Street, Bowen Cooke & McNeill Avenue.

But I can’t do it alone – we all have a part to play in keeping our area clean.

👀 If you see fly-tipping call 0300 123 5011, or report it here:

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

Or scan the QR code in the image – it only takes a minute!

🗑️ Our community is not a dumping ground.

Unwanted items can be taken to the Pyms Lane Recycling Centre – there’s no excuse.

💬 With the new Cleaner Crewe project coming soon, there’ll be more support, education, and advice for residents. We don’t want to fine people – but we can’t afford to keep cleaning up after repeat fly-tippers either.

👉 Please get involved. Report what you see. Encourage others to do the same.

Together, we can take pride in where we live. 💚

 FLOWERS LANE ZEBRA CROSSING – WORK COMPLETE! 

You might remember my earlier post this month about the faded zebra crossing on Flowers Lane near Gordon Geddes Way.

Many local residents - especially those walking to and from Leighton Hospital including staff from Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  - raised concerns about how hard it was to see, and I completely agreed that it needed urgent attention.

I’m really pleased to confirm that the lining renewal works have now been completed! 🎉 Fresh, clear markings are now in place, making the crossing much more visible and safer for everyone using it.

Thanks again to everyone who flagged this up with me – and to Cheshire East Highways for getting it sorted. If you spot something else that needs attention, please do get in touch or report it online. 👇

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

Let’s keep pushing for safer, better streets across Crewe! 🛣️🚶‍♀️🚸

MINSHULL NEW ROAD BARRIER REPAIRS ARRANGED

Following the recent traffic accident outside Leighton Academy school on Minshull New Road, the damaged safety railings had to be removed. I contacted Highways to ask for replacements to be installed.

I’ve now been advised that the local highways officer has visited the site, raised the job, and the new railings have been ordered. These will be installed at the earliest opportunity. ✅

These barriers although small, are important -they help protect children and pedestrians by preventing anyone from stepping straight out of the school gates and into the road. Especially during busy pick-up and drop-off times, they play a vital role in keeping everyone safe.

I’m also continuing to press for the long-awaited road safety improvements that were promised as part of the NWCP plans but have yet to be delivered. This area, especially outside a school, urgently needs better safety measures in place.

📢 If you're concerned about road safety on Minshull New Road, please add your voice and support this cause by emailing:

👉 letusknow@cheshireeast.gov.uk

The more people speak up, the stronger our case. Let’s keep pushing for safer streets around our schools! 🛑🏫

WESTBOURNE AVENUE – NEW STREET SIGN INSTALLED! 

I’m pleased to confirm that a brand-new street sign has been installed on Westbourne Avenue, following the accident last year which damaged both the old sign and the fencing behind it.

Many residents have been in touch with me about this, and I’ve been regularly chasing Highways to get it sorted. A big thank you to them for finally getting the sign up!

Also, thanks to Guinness Housing for their quick response in repairing the damaged fencing last year – your prompt action is much appreciated.

I’m currently in discussions about the wooded area behind the railings, which is managed by Guinness Housing. We’re exploring a project to tidy it up and improve the space, so watch this space!

Thanks again to everyone involved in making Westbourne Avenue safer and looking better.

GRAFFITI CLEAN-UP IN ACTION! 

Following my recent post about graffiti in our area, I’m pleased to share that clean-up work is underway! 👏 A big thank you to LilaConnect, who were first to respond and take action, and to BT Openreach who have since cleaned up several broadband cabinets – including this one on Frank Webb Avenue! 💪

Great work thank you!

I’m still waiting on Cheshire East highways to tackle the traffic light control boxes on Badger Avenue… Come on guys, we’re counting on you! 🙏

Graffiti isn’t just unsightly – it can make an area feel uncared for and attract further vandalism. It’s important we keep our community clean, safe and welcoming. 🌟

If you spot graffiti in your area, please report it online – or drop me a message and I’ll help follow it up!

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

YOUTH & EX-FORCES ARMED FORCES ENGAGEMENT & RECRUITMENT EVENT

It was fantastic to attend the recent event at Crewe Market Hall and Lyceum square – a brilliant gathering of organisations from across the Armed Forces community, support services, employers, and local partners.

I had some really insightful conversations, learning more about the support available for those currently serving and for veterans too, as well as the wide range of job opportunities on offer – both for young people looking to serve and those exploring careers with local businesses.

Here in Crewe, we have a fantastic Forces community, and it was great to see everyone coming together, making connections, and sharing ideas.

I’ve gathered lots of useful information from the exhibitors and will be putting together a round-up for residents who’d like to find out more about the support and opportunities available – whether it’s employment, training, or community services. I’ll be posting that soon – keep an eye out!

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, and to all who made the event such a success!

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.

🔔 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