'At this point in time we have no intention to progress any further in Congleton', Cheshire East halt active travel scheme following "very clear" feedback that the town was not "on board".

Cheshire East felt that the Antrobus Street and West Street active travel scheme would form one part of a "wider" east-west walking and cycling route connecting through Congleton.

The authority claimed that the scheme would "complement" the Congleton Link Road by "reducing" traffic levels and speeds through the town centre, making it a "safe and more attractive place".

According to Cheshire East, at present "relatively high levels" of traffic use the Antrobus Street and West Street route where there is a 30mph speed limit. It was also claimed that crossing the road can be "difficult" in some areas, "particularly" on Mill Street.

The proposed solution of the active travel scheme was to:

- Reduce speed limit to 20mph on sections along West Street, Antrobus Street, Mill Street and Swan Bank (including side roads).

- Improved crossing points near to the bus stop on Mill Street and at the junction of West Street / Antrobus Street.

- Waiting restriction extended to no waiting or loading on the West Street/Antrobus junction to allow an improved pedestrian crossing point.

In addition to the proposed solution, two options were identified by Cheshire East for West Street between Antrobus Street and Astbury Street/Banks.

Speaking at yesterday's cabinet meeting, James Law, a Congleton resident, asked questions regarding the town's proposed active travel scheme, which was approved by cabinet last month.

Mr Law said: "What traffic studies have been made to inform and direct the active travel proposals for Congleton and how have such studies led to conclusions, such as the areas speed reduction to 20mph and the new pedestrian crossing over Mill Street and the south of Antrobus Street are the optimal solutions for improving access.

"Can you confirm why it is being proposed now rather than once changes to the traffic flow are caused by the opening of the link road can be studied."

The Congleton scheme formed part of the borough's second tranche of projects to "encourage more people to cycle and walk, help tackle obesity and improve access to our town centres, areas for employment and schools".

The council secured £588,000 of Department for Transport funding in the second phase of active travel grants.

This follows from £155,000 of first-phase funding, last August, which led to eight emergency active travel projects across seven Cheshire East towns - including Congleton.

However, Cllr Laura Crane, cabinet member for highways and waste, highlighted that it was clear following the latest public consultation, that Congleton was "not on board" with the proposed second active travel scheme.

Cllr Crane said: "Obviously, the proposals that we put out were to garner public feedback on some of the options that might be available to us.

"We wanted to ensure that the local community was on board, the feedback received so far has been very clear from Congleton that they are not on board and therefore any progression of the scheme to any detailed reviews would be inappropriate.

"We will be proceeding with schemes in Wilmslow and Macclesfield at this time, but in Congleton we need to go back and discuss further with local stakeholders what options maybe beneficial to the town for the future.

"But at this point in time we have no intention to progress any further in Congleton."