A resident from Broadhurst Lane contacted me last Monday about reducing the speed limit on the lane and creating a speed bump to slow traffic down.

A driver, who was driving too fast for the road killed one of the resident's pussycats. This has been a most distressing experience for all the residents of the lane because that 'accident' could easily have been a young child.

The resident set up a change.org petition which received over 500 signatures in five days, if you want to support the petition, you can sign it here.

Usually it takes at least 26 weeks to obtain a TRO (traffic road order), which needs assessment and a period of consultation.

Due to the street proximity to the town centre being within walking distance, the Congleton Town Council integrated transport working group have put forward a proposal for a temporary 10mph speed limit and temporary widening of the pavement, both of which will slow traffic down, making the street safer for the residents and provide space for social distancing post lockdown.

This is a great example that if people in our community want change and can demonstrate support then the council will do what they can to make it happen.

How? Due to Covid-19 emergency measures, statutory guidance from the Department for Transport has asked the council to put measures in place that enable social distancing post lockdown and provide safety for pedestrians and cyclists so that they will walk and cycle, especially for short journeys.

You can search the document titled Coronavirus (COVID-19): Safer Public Places - Urban Centres and Green Spaces, or via the link.

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People are not using public transport post lockdown and cities and towns are recording an increase of private vehicle use by up to a third, creating even more congestion than there was before lockdown.

If you have any suggestions for measures to enable social distancing and ideas that will enable people to walk and cycle, please get in touch as soon as possible.

You can view details of the proposals on the town council website.

The deadline for proposals is this Friday. Email to [email protected] or telephone 0777 929 5011.

Yours sincerely,

Chair Congleton Integrated Transport Working Group