The Strategy is sadly lacking vision or even learning from best practice in other, more successful towns and cities. It fails to address most of the basic improvements needed. While it does include plans for limited cycling and walking paths for a number of towns across the borough. Plans are piecemeal, mostly running alongside busy main roads, rather than incorporating active travel in our everyday life. It is unclear whether any of these are any more likely to be implemented than the March 2021 Macclesfield plan.

The only work undertaken in Macclesfield since that plan has been the recent improvements on Black Lane and Hibel Road, mostly funded by the Sustrans charity; Cheshire East Council paid just 5%.  Cheshire East have not funded or implemented any other improvements.

I, together with other local Greens and many Macclesfield residents have been asking the Council repeatedly to make Macclesfield roads safer for everyone. We will continue to call for the council to take a more visionary, holistic approach to active travel.

It is telling that Councillor Braithwaite, Transport Vice-Chair and co-author of the consultation document, represents Macclesfield Central ward, which includes precisely one cycleway, linking a busy junction with a small cul-de-sac.

Tell Cheshire East Council to take Active Travel in Macclesfield and beyond seriously. Please respond to the consultation by August 31st: http://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/activetravel.

If you would like to talk to me about this or any other issue, please get in touch: welcome@cheshireeast.greenparty.org.uk.

Find out more about what Greens are doing in Macclesfield here.

The post Talking Politics – John Knight discusses Cheshire East’s active travel consultation for macclesfield appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

Amanda Iremonger, Green Party candidate for Lacey Green, calls on United Utilities to stop sewage pollution in the River Dean in Wilmslow.

Amanda says:

Shockingly sewerage was poured into the River Dean at the Wilmslow Sewage Treatment Plant for an average of more than 4 hours every day in 2024. We want our rivers and seas to be sparkling clean, not awash with chemicals, microplastics and human waste.

Local residents and I want to be able to walk safely by the rivers with our dogs and children, without worrying that they will get sick.

This ongoing United Utilities sewage pollution in the River Dean in Wilmslow is damaging water quality, harming wildlife, and putting public health at risk.

United Utilities need to clean up their act.

Amanda continued:

The water quality here is poor, and even the government says the only company to blame is United Utilities.

So how is it that we have 82 Councillors with influence in Cheshire East, yet none of them have made a difference, or even spoken publicly about this foul problem? Surely not because 64 of them represent parties which have received donations from United Utilities in the past?”

Amanda argues that the problem cannot be ignored any longer. She is demanding urgent action to protect the River Dean, Wilmslow residents, and local wildlife from the ongoing sewage scandal.

Information sources: https://top-of-the-poops.org/waterway/united-utilities/river-dean ; https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/Search/Donations

https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/documents/s13

https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB112069061360

Find out more about Amanda’s election campaign here.

The post Stop United Utilities Sewage Pollution in the River Dean, Wilmslow appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

We need to reduce our plastic litter. I have been shocked to discover how much plastic is damaging us, nature and our environment. Every breath I take, as I walk through Macclesfield, I am inhaling microplastics which put me at increased risk of cancers, lung disease or air-borne diseases. And of course it isn’t just me, or you, facing this risk. The same is true for our pets, wild animals, fish, birds, plants, trees. For other species it isn’t just the risk from ingesting particles – many are also dying from entanglement with plastic bags, ropes and other rubbish.

Our roads, rivers, pools and parks are all littered with plastic bags, cups and containers. 

And locally it’s not just plastics littering our neighbourhood. Macclesfield can be beautiful, but not when you are having to walk round, or in some cases wade through, carelessly-dropped rubbish. 

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be like this. We in the Green Party are working with communities in Cheshire East to reduce single use plastic (like coffee cups or take away containers), and to keep our streets clear of litter.

What can you do?

Some of this work is with the council. For example we recently got kerbside recycling reinstated in Highfield Road. This Saturday, 19th July, we’ll be clearing litter in and around South Park (and at locations in other towns). Would you join us? Come along to South Park Car Park, Park Grove, for 10.00. Bring your own gloves, but we will supply litter bags!

Why this weekend? It’s the People vs Plastic National Day of Action – protests will be held across the UK to call for the end to plastic pollution. What better way to protest that with something useful which can also help our communities? 

See you on Saturday!

Text based on the Green Party’s “Talking Politics” column in the Macclesfield Express

The post There’s too much plastic & litter in Macclesfield! appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

With local politicians queuing up to tell us how much they’re against the scheme, you’d wonder how it ever got off the ground in the first place.  Let’s just remember, it was the previous Conservative administration that designated northern Danes Moss as a “Development Area” and the present Labour-led council, alongside the developer, that pushed through the plans, arguing that they were “carbon-neutral”, with astonishing statements like “the peat is already dead”!  Only the Greens have consistently opposed development of the site from the start.

Having already wasted three and a quarter million pounds of our money on this scheme (as they wasted £12 million trying to persuade us that HS2 would have been good for Cheshire East), the council now wants to throw good money after bad, paying consultants £150,000 to “review options”.  They apparently want to save face by building at least a few houses on the Moss.

Instead, they should sit down with local residents, campaigners, ecologists and conservation bodies like the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and the RSPB, to plan how to preserve and enhance the Moss as an asset to the community, wildlife and the environment.  Cheshire East Council says they want the borough to be carbon neutral by 2045 – let’s see them put that into practice.

Column published in the Macclesfield Express in June 2025

The post Greens Celebrate Danes Moss Council Climbdown appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

With 1.3 million people across three local authorities, our proposed mayoral authority area is small compared to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. However, Cheshire is an area of great prosperity and natural beauty. What we need is a political structure to deliver a Nature, Nurture and Needs plan; with funding adequate for us today. What we are being offered is a band aid, a smokescreen. We already have three Councils struggling to provide basic services to our residents, to protect the vulnerable and to enable us to thrive in our natural environment. We need real change right now.
 
Living under three Labour-led Councils, who have concurred with the current plan, what we do not need is another layer of government, with a mayor who is little more than an agent of the current central Labour government. The current proposal provides little or no scrutiny of the actions of the Mayoral Authority. The Mayor may be elected, but other representatives would be unelected “non-constituent and associate members”.
 
We look for true and democratic devolution, to meet the needs of our local population, a system which can focus on bringing fairness and equality, and protecting the vulnerable: 

• Championing public transport and active travel
• Improving health and wellbeing of our residents
• Focusing on a healthy, local food supply
• Looking after our green spaces and biodiversity
• Tackling poverty and inequality especially among children and pensioners
• Looking to improve local economies based on small local businesses rather than exploitative multinational companies.

The post CHESHIRE EAST GREENS CALL FOR TRUE DEVOLUTION FOR CHESHIRE AND WARRINGTON appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

To  Macclesfield Town Centre Regeneration Working Group,

As Green Party campaigners for Macclesfield, we are eager to share our thoughts for the upcoming public consultation, driven by our genuine appreciation for Macclesfield town centre.

Over the past six months, we have actively engaged with residents, gathering their feedback on various issues that matter to them. The most recurring theme in our conversations and surveys has been the concerning condition of the roads in Macclesfield, which many describe as shocking. Additionally, residents have expressed frustration over the lack of safe cycling routes throughout the town.

To address these pressing concerns, we believe that Macclesfield Town Council should implement a “20 is plenty” speed limit in the town, fix the potholes, create protected bike lanes and re-establish the NCN55 route which would bring more visitors and residents to the town centre. This initiative would significantly enhance the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists, fostering a more welcoming and secure environment for everyone in and visiting our community. The availability of cycle lanes along the roads is quite limited, and those that do exist are often disconnected, leading cyclists from one random spot to another without any clear destination. Many of these lanes tend to end abruptly, especially in places where they would be most beneficial, like on hills or at busy intersections. Additionally, parked cars frequently block these lanes, making it difficult for cyclists to navigate safely. There are very few paths that are completely free from traffic, meaning cyclists have to share the road with cars and trucks, which can be dangerous.

One of the rare traffic-free routes is the Middlewood Way, which connects Macclesfield to nearby towns like Bollington, Poynton, and Marple. This path is part of National Cycle Network Route 55, and while improvements were made last year to widen the sidewalks and enhance crossings at Black Lane and Hibel Road, the route becomes less clear at the Silk Road underpass just a short distance away. Over time, the markings that used to help cyclists find their way through town have faded, leaving only a few small blue arrows that do little to remind drivers to give cyclists enough space. If we want to encourage people to use cars less, we must offer a safe environment for active travel – including cycling – in the town. Meanwhile, Cheshire East has set an ambitious goal to become a carbon-neutral council, yet they are considering plans that could harm a rare and important peat bog at Danes Moss. It is so important for us that any development plans in Macclesfield prioritise the preservation of Danes Moss, as it plays a vital role in our environment.

We would like you to encourage more people to shop at Scoop and Scales, a refill store located in the Old Sunday School at The Heritage Centre in Macclesfield. Our commitment to the health and well-being of the local community, as well as the environment, drives us to fully support this initiative. We believe it’s important for individuals to appreciate themselves, the food that they eat, their possessions, and Macclesfield town centre. The cooperative aims to minimise waste by buying and selling eco-friendly products, fresh organic fruits and vegetables, high-quality canned goods, herbs, spices, and essential baking items minimising the use of packaging. Additionally, Scoop and Scales is associated with the Macclesfield Repair Café, a community hub where people can bring in broken items and learn how to fix them with the help of skilled volunteers. This initiative covers a wide range of items, from bicycles and clothing to electronics and woodworking projects. By repairing existing items instead of purchasing new ones, participants not only acquire new skills and meet new friends but also contribute positively to the environment. Repairing items significantly reduces waste that would otherwise fill up Macclesfield’s household waste recycling centre. We would also like more people to know about The One Project in Macclesfield, a cohesive community empowered by the knowledge and skills to embrace sustainable environmentally friendly ways of living, making “waste” food available to the public at a low cost price.

We envision a future where Macclesfield becomes a plastic-free town. Encouraging local businesses to participate in the movement against single-use plastics is really important for fostering sustainable living practices. By actively choosing to avoid using and providing items like plastic bags, disposable coffee cups, and plastic trays, Macclesfield can significantly reduce waste and lessen the impact on the environment. By saying no to single-use plastics, everyone can help protect fragile and invisible ecosystems in Macclesfield town centre and ensure the well-being of our birds, for example.

We would like you to tackle anti-social behaviour by addressing its underlying causes and enhancing community policing to effectively reduce issues like homelessness, begging, alcoholism and drug use. One of our key thoughts is to revitalise the Town Hall and library, transforming them into inviting spaces that people will want to visit both during the day and at night. Additionally, we are committed to improving childrens’ and young adults’ services by campaigning for holiday and evening youth clubs, which will help make Macclesfield a more lively and engaging place for teenagers. We also support Just Drop In, an organisation that offers valuable services and events for young people and their parents on Brook Street in Macclesfield.

We would like you to be committed to improving Macclesfield for individuals with seen and unseen disabilities, focusing on enhancing equal accessibility throughout Macclesfield town centre. One major concern is the lack of access for wheelchair users at South Park, particularly at the entrance on Hobson Street, where a barrier prevents entry. This issue is compounded by the limited number of disabled parking spaces available in the South Park Car Park, which forces many people to park on Hobson Street and John Street instead. To address these challenges, we propose the installation of a wider gate at the Hobson Street entrance. This change would not only benefit wheelchair users but also assist parents with double buggies, making it easier for families to enjoy the park. With a new Café Pavilion set to open this year, we believe that improving access will encourage more disabled individuals and families to visit this wonderful green space before or after their trips into town.

A few months ago, we attended a presentation by People Powered Retrofit at St. Michael’s Church in Macclesfield. We appreciated the reasons behind retrofitting homes and transitioning to renewable energy sources, as well as the importance of eliminating gas boilers. These changes can lead to reduced energy consumption, lower utility bills, and decreased carbon emissions, all of which contribute to a better quality of life. However, we are concerned that social housing tenants in Macclesfield Town Centre may not be receiving the support they need. It seems that Cheshire Peaks and Plains and other social housing providers could do a lot more to ensure that everyone has equal access to essential insulation services and renewable energy sources, which are needed for improving energy efficiency and comfort in their rented homes.

Macclesfield has a great chance to enhance its unique charm by promoting and attracting independent businesses like shops, restaurants, and creative spaces. Instead of depending solely on national chains, which are struggling, the town can benefit from a variety of retail, leisure, and cultural options. This could involve making it easier for small businesses to open, perhaps through flexible leases or support networks, and creating a special identity that highlights the town’s history and creativity. Imagine more artisan bakeries, independent bookstores, galleries, and workshops that offer experiences beyond just shopping.

Improving the town centre’s environment and public spaces is essential for making it a more inviting place to visit. This means investing in the public areas by updating old street furniture, enhancing lighting, adding more green spaces, and making the town more attractive and friendly for pedestrians. Focusing on key spots identified in regeneration plans, like the historic Market Place and Chestergate, can help create a better flow and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to stay longer and support local businesses. Enhancing connectivity and reducing car dominance in certain areas could also lead to positive changes.

Increasing the number of residents in the town centre can create a steady customer base for local businesses and make the area livelier, especially during evenings. Please work to convert parking spaces and derelict buildings into affordable housing. For example, by transforming underused upper floors above shops into living spaces, the town can attract more people to live in the heart of Macclesfield, further boosting its vibrancy, economy and community spirit.

The post Greens respond to macclesfield regeneration working group appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

Time and time again, residents respond with comments about not only the generally shocking state of the roads in Macclesfield, but also the almost complete lack of safe routes to cycle around town.

There are not many roadside cycle lanes; they are disjointed, mostly leading from nowhere to nowhere in particular, or petering out where they would be most useful, on climbs or at junctions.  They are often obstructed by parked cars.  There are hardly any traffic-free cycleways, physically separated from cars and lorries.

About the only such traffic-free route (apart from the canal towpath, which is not suitable for every bicycle or cyclist) is the Middlewood Way, linking Macc with Bollington, Poynton and Marple.  This forms part of National Cycle Network Route 55; although extensive work was done last year, widening the pavement and improving crossings at Black Lane and Hibel Road, when it reaches the Silk Road underpass a few yards further on, it virtually disappears.  The markings that used to guide cyclists through town have disappeared over the years, with only some tiny blue arrows remaining, giving no “nudge” to motorists about leaving adequate room.

Cheshire East claims an “ambitious target to be a carbon neutral council” (while at the same time wanting to destroy rare and vital peat bog at Danes Moss), yet active travel in Macclesfield, including cycling, appears as an afterthought, if that.

Join our “Make Macclesfield Roads Safer” bike ride on Saturday 7th June – meet 10:30 for 11:00 outside Whalley Hayes car park to ride round town to the Town Hall.  Come early for a free bike check by eLOV!

The post Greens call to Make Macclesfield Roads Safer appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

I’m delighted to announce that my friend and colleague John Knight, will be taking over the Green Party musings in this column for a while. John is a long standing campaigner in Macclesfield – you may have met him in the campaign to Save Danes Moss, for example. 

Recently, John has been leading the latest local Green Party initiative to hear your views and push for action to address your concerns. We are still listening, so do get in touch.

Currently, 94% say that the council should be doing more to enable tenants to use renewable energy – a long-held view of John’s and he is pushing for tenants to get the same opportunity to install renewable energy (solar panels, heat pumps and so on) as home-owners. 

And many of you have been asking for Macclesfield to be made safer for cyclists. We are building a campaign to call for this – asking the Council to provide protected cycle lanes, fix the pot holes, re-establish the national cycle route NR55 through the town centre and introduce 20mph as the limit in urban areas.

You can sign our petition here: http://change.org/MaccCyclingGreenParty. John is also leading a cycle protest on 7th June, save the date!

My next step is to find out more about the planned Cheshire and Warrington Mayoral Authority – we need to ensure that it brings real benefit to us locally. At the moment it’s the creation of three Labour-led authorities, and a Labour government. None of them are delivering what we need for Macclesfield, so I am not convinced we need more of the same. Are you? To get change, we need to make changes.

Do get in touch any time: welcome@cheshireeast.greenparty.org.uk, or come along to meet us: we and other Greens will be at Turquoise Sandwich Bar on Saturday 5^th April between 10 and 12. 

The post Talking Politics for the macclesfield express (March 2025) appeared first on Cheshire East Green Party.

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Over 70% of homes here are owner-occupied. The Council ran well-publicised schemes to encourage owners to take up renewable energy through the Solar Together scheme. My daughter recently installed solar panels and a heat pump, part-funded with a government grant. Her energy bills are now virtually zero, and on sunny days, even recently, she earns money contributing to the national grid. If you’re an owner-occupier, you can probably do this too.

My daughter is lucky. What about tenants? The Council secured £7.9 million funding for insulation and renewables for vulnerable residents – under £2 million a year. Equally poor has been the performance of our housing associations. Guinness – who at least provide the information, trumpet that 1800 houses have renewable and low carbon systems and 52 homes in Crewe got external wall insulation. Excuse me for failing to be impressed by this, they own and manage around 70,000 properties so this is a drop in the ocean. Other councils have driven improvements – Regenda Homes’ work for Wirral for example – so it’s (at best) lack of will leaving our population behind.

In so many ways we continue to make life harder for those with the least. Renewable energy would reduce the bills for so many. Yes, there are upfront costs, but let’s stop funding fossil fuels entirely, and fund an effective domestic renewables programme now!

Do you want to know more about switching to renewables? Macctastic Eco Network are hosting an event on Tuesday 25^th March at 7pm in St Michael’s Church called “A beginner’s guide to Retrofit”. Tickets available now. Can’t wait? Or want to know more about Green Party policies more generally, get in touch:

email welcome@cheshireeast.greenparty.org.uk.

Best regards, Amanda Iremonger.

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