I wanted to provide a full update on the ongoing situation with the footpath on Redwood Drive, as I know many residents are concerned about the closure and what’s being done to resolve it.
Back in 2023, Taylor Wimpey submitted a planning application proposing to relocate the footpath on Redwood Drive due to subsidence issues near the brook. This naturally raised concerns among local residents, and I joined them in raising these concerns with the planning department. We wanted to ensure that any changes would be safe, practical, and sensitive to the local environment. As a result of the feedback and the concerns raised, Taylor Wimpey withdrew their application to allow for a more thorough assessment. This included providing additional information about lighting and other safety measures to help ensure the footpath would be safe and accessible.
Following this, in 2024, an inspection was carried out jointly by Taylor Wimpey’s contractor and Cheshire East Council to assess the current state of the footpath. Unfortunately, the findings confirmed that the path was not safe to use due to ongoing subsidence, and a decision was made to close the footpath temporarily to protect residents and visitors.
Since then, I have been pressing regularly with both Taylor Wimpey and Cheshire East Council to find a prompt and practical solution. Despite these efforts and the updates I’ve shared previously, the footpath remains closed.
Just yesterday morning, I met with a contractor working on behalf of Taylor Wimpey to discuss potential options to address the subsidence and reopen the path as soon as it is safe to do so. This was a productive meeting and I am hopeful we can find a way forward.
My next step will be to arrange a meeting with a highways officer to push for a coordinated plan and to explore any alternative routes or solutions that might be possible. Rest assured, I am committed to keeping up the pressure until this issue is resolved.
I will continue to update residents as soon as I have more information to share. In the meantime, if you have any specific concerns or ideas that you would like me to consider as part of these discussions, please do not hesitate to email me directly at james.pratt@cheshireeast.gov.uk.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding while we work through this issue together.
You can see the previously submitted planning application in detail here