Dear fellow residents,

I hope you're all keeping well. When I last wrote, we were in the middle of a heatwave - quite a contrast to the cooler weather we’re having now as the school summer holidays get underway. I hope you're enjoying the break (if you can!) whatever you're up to.

Here's my latest updates on what's going on including a summer fun day event I'm organising, an HMO update, roadworks, a new way to report issues, a STEM activity day at Leighton Academy, a pair of bollards and more!

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.

LEIGHTON BROOK PARK SUMMER FUN DAY
WEDNESDAY 27TH AUGUST 10AM - 3PM

As your local ward councillor for Crewe St Barnabas, I’m really pleased to share with you an exciting community event I’ve been working to organise alongside the fantastic team at Wishing Well.

Join us for a fantastic day of free fun, play, and sport activity sessions hosted by Wishing Well, and other brilliant local organisations – right here in our local park!

📍 Location: Leighton Brook Park, Frank Webb Avenue, CW1 3NE

📅 Date: Wednesday 27th August 2025.  10AM to 3PM

💷 Cost: Completely free!

Morning Activities (10am – Midday)

Start the day with a treasure hunt around the park, exciting sports day races with prizes, beach-themed crafts and play, and a free packed lunch for the kids. Perfect for younger children and families looking to enjoy some outdoor fun.

Afternoon Adventures (1pm – 3pm)

Teens can enjoy a selfie trail (don’t forget your phone!) and join in on football, craft, and dodgeball sessions. There’s more football fun too, with coaching sessions, games, and penalty shootout challenges, all thanks to Crewe Alexandra in the Community. Plus, another free packed lunch is available.

Special Highlights

South Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club: Watch live demonstrations, meet the team, and even try out some fun boxing activities.

Emergency Services: Ever wanted to sit inside a real fire engine or police car? The fire engine will be on site from 10am to midday (unless called away), and the police will be joining from midday onwards.

Health and Support Services: Get free health checks or advice from the NHS Living Well Bus, and speak to our local housing providers for helpful information and support.

And there’s more!

Expect even more surprises on the day, with activities and fun for all ages. It’s a brilliant chance to bring the community together, have some fun, and access useful services in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

Please do come along, get involved, and make some memories!

523 WEST STREET - HMO REFUSED!

Great news for our community - the application for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 523 West Street has been refused!

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views. Your input really does make a difference.

I spent time delivering letters and speaking directly with residents in the surrounding streets to understand your concerns. Following that, I formally "called in" the application so it would be considered by the Planning Committee rather than decided by officers alone.

I raised key issues on behalf of the community, including parking pressures, waste management, the impact on residential amenity, and concerns over the internal layout of the proposed HMO.

I'm pleased to report that these concerns were taken seriously, and the application has now been refused.

Let’s keep working together to protect and improve our neighbourhood.

CHASSAGNE SQUARE - ROAD MARKINGS WORK DONE!

Following my previous posts about road relining work on the Grosvenor park estate, eagle eyed followers may have already noticed the second part of this work has now been carried out - with work to repaint the give way lines around Chassagne Square 'roundabout' now completed, alongside the other work recently done in the area

If you spot a road issue, report it online using the new TraCE system

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

Let's keep getting things done!

MINSHULL NEW ROAD – LEIGHTON ACADEMY BARRIER REPAIR 

Following a recent road traffic accident, the safety railings outside Leighton Academy were removed due to damage – leaving a key safety feature outside Leighton Academy missing.

After raising the issue directly with Cheshire East Highways and pressing for urgent action, I’m pleased to confirm that the railings have now been reinstated.

These barriers, though small, are essential in helping prevent children from stepping into the road – particularly during busy school drop-off and pick-up times.

This is just one part of the wider road safety improvements I’ve been pushing for around Leighton Academy.  If you follow my updates here or receive my newsletter, you’ll know we have been let down in this regard – which is why I’m continuing to press for further action, with more meetings already planned to keep up the pressure.

Railings reinstated – but the campaign for safer roads continues!

SUPPORTING NATIONAL CADET FORCES DAY

At our recent Full Council meeting, held at the incredible SKA Observatory at Jodrell Bank, I was proud to support Cheshire East Armed Forces Champion Councillor Anthony Harrison's motion to back a national Cadet Forces Day, with a proposal for it to be held on the Tuesday of Armed Forces Week.

The proposal celebrates the brilliant work of cadet organisations like the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, RAF Air Cadets and others. It would give cadets the chance to share their experiences in schools, wear their uniforms with pride, and open their units to local communities.

Cadet Forces help thousands of young people across the UK to grow in confidence, develop leadership, and gain invaluable life skills. This day would give them the recognition they rightly deserve.

I am proud to support our Armed Forces community and this fantastic national campaign.

NEW WAY TO REPORT ISSUES TO THE COUNCIL

Cheshire East Council has introduced a new system for reporting local issues – everything from potholes and fly-tipping to broken streetlights and overgrown hedges.

The new platform, called TraCE, replaces FixMyStreet. From now on, please use TraCE to report any issues in your area.

You can find the link here:

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

When I checked the map, I was surprised to see no issues listed in St Barnabas ward – despite the number I've reported over time. I doubt they’ve all been fixed overnight! So, although this isn't the only way I raise problems, I’ve been working through and logging any outstanding issues I’m aware of.

Let’s get Crewe the attention it deserves – and make sure you’re getting value for your council tax.

If you spot something, take a minute to report it.

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

MINSHULL NEW ROAD - GULLY WORKS COMPLETED

Thank you again to everyone who shared my recent update about the gully clearance works scheduled for Minshull New Road. This has been something I’ve been pushing for over a long period, especially due to the recurring flooding along the footpath near Leighton Academy in wet weather.

After a frustrating delay earlier in July, I followed it up and was assured the works would be rescheduled. I’m pleased to confirm that the clearance has now been completed, with many of the worst-affected gullies fully cleared.

There was some disruption during the work, but everything was wrapped up ahead of the afternoon school run. It’s a relief to finally see this issue tackled properly.

Thanks to all the residents who raised it with me – your voices helped get this sorted.

DREAM BIG EVENT AT LEIGHTON ACADEMY INSPIRES FUTURE STEM LEADERS

The recent event I attended at Leighton Academy was fantastic! I had a great time engaging with Year 5 pupils during the Dream Big programme. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm as they explored STEM careers in health, engineering, enterprise, and construction linked to the rebuild of Leighton Hospital part of Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

I’m proud to have been part of the team in the enterprise area, helping to spark curiosity and ambition in our future leaders. This initiative is part of the Healthier Futures team’s Social Value Plan, aiming to enhance the STEM curriculum for 20,000 local young people over the next four years.

A big thank you to all the partners involved for making the day such a success, and thanks to MCHFT for the photos!

FIELD NOW SECURED - RESIDENT ACCESS PROTECTED!

If you’ve been following my facebook page, you’ll know this one’s been a bit of a saga…

After an unauthorised encampment appeared on the field between Frank Webb Avenue and Brooklands Grove some weeks ago, I pushed Cheshire East to take action. First to move the encampment on, and then to secure the area properly.

What we got initially was a huge gate - one that blocked everyone, including people on foot, in pushchairs, or using mobility scooters. Not ideal.

I cut a makeshift access path through the long grass and nettles while asking the council to rethink. The gate was then removed (against my advice)… and unsurprisingly, another encampment quickly turned up. I pushed again to get it moved on swiftly, and the area cleaned up - and pressed for a sensible long-term solution.

I’m now pleased to say that lockable drop-down bollards have been installed. These allow proper access for residents using the footpath, and still let the council cut the grass - all while keeping the area protected.

Another one ticked off!

Thanks to everyone who got in touch about this.

ALDER DRIVE / REDWOOD DRIVE - DEAD TREE!

I recently reported a dead tree at the end of Alder Drive (on Redwood Drive) to Taylor Wimpey, who are responsible for that area as it hasn’t yet been adopted by the council. I asked if it could be safely removed and replaced with a new one.

Unfortunately, the tree has now fallen over - and nothing seems to have been done yet.

I’ve contacted Taylor Wimpey again to follow up and ask what action they’ll be taking.

I’ll keep you updated!

GETTING THINGS DONE!

Following concerns I raised about the footpaths across Leighton Brook Park becoming overgrown, the grounds team have been out to carry out a quick cut back.

Further work is planned once nesting season is over, so the park can be properly tidied and cleared up.

Thanks to the team for acting promptly to keep our park looking great!

If there's an issue that needs looking at, please get in contact

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/contact/

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