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I would like to thank everyone for supporting the protest and making a success of it.

If you have photos / videos to share, can you please contact me via brian.bugeja@gmail.com

Is the road at the old bridge at Swanbach open at weekends when workmen are not working?

My post yesterday about the FOI request is truncated when I look at it on my phone in portrait mode. If I turn the phone round and look at it in landscape mode the full text is displayed.
The key part of the section that was truncated is
'We are unable to provide the information you request as we do not capture costs specific to the criteria
you refer. We allocate costs to many specific headings such as key schemes and key disciplines e.g.
drainage, surfacing, pothole repairs etc. but in many cases this is not required to be broken down into
specific locations.
In this specific instance we believe you are referring to the A529 Green Lane, Audlem adjacent to the old
railway bridge at Swanbach. Whilst we record that we have had 11 specific notifications at this location
since 2019 (2019 2 no., 2020 4 no., 2021 1 no. and 2022 4 no.) as captured under our out of hours and
emergency work stream, we are not able to apportion specific costs to these.'

There is a link to the 'Disclosure Log' of FOI requests to CEC and their responses embedded in text at https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/open-data-and-transparency/freedom_of_information/freedom_of_information.aspx

Could this cat be a stray? He was nearly run over in the doctors carpark last night. Luckily the driver spotted him at the last minute.

Below is an extract from a response dated 28th April 2023 from CEC to an FOI request from someone whose name has been redacted in the response, as has the name of the author of the response. It wasn't submitted by me.
Obviously this response has been compiled with a great deal of care and intelligence, confirming in one sentence that CEC holds the information requested and then in the next sentence stating 'We are unable to provide the information you request...'
The statement that they do not hold the information in the requested form is depressing: if they don't hold the information how can they effectively manage the relevant budgets, or know how much they're spending on repeated trips to and work at the same location?
=========================================================================================

'Information Request – 19742085 – Costs relating to Old Railway Bridge Swanbach
I am responding to your request for information, which has been considered under the Environmental
Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) and logged as case 19742085.
Your request is as follows:
What is the cost to the highway service budget from October 2019 to date of:
1. Attending of flooding at Old Railway Bridge Swanbach
2. Jetting of flooding at Old Railway Bridge Swanbach
3. Signage of flooding at Old Railway Bridge Swanbach
I can confirm that Cheshire East Council holds the information you have requested. I have detailed below
the information that is being released to you.
We are unable to provide the information you request as we do not capture costs specific to the criteria
you refer. We allocate costs to many specific headings such as key schemes and key disciplines e.g.
drainage, surfacing, pothole repairs etc. but in many cases this is not required to be broken down into
specific locations.
In this specific instance we believe you are referring to the A529 Green Lane, Audlem adjacent to the old
railway bridge at Swanbach. Whilst we record that we have had 11 specific notifications at this location
since 2019 (2019 2 no., 2020 4 no., 2021 1 no. and 2022 4 no.) as captured under our out of hours and
emergency work stream, we are not able to apportion specific costs to these.
Please quote the reference number 19742085 in any future communications.
An anonymised copy of this response may be published in the Council's Disclosure Log, which is
available online at the following address: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/foi
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your request or if you are not happy with the way your request
has been handled, you can request an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted
within 20 working days of our response by emailing foi@cheshireeast.gov.uk or in writing to the
Information Rights Team, Cheshire East Council, 1st Floor, Westfields, c/o Municipal Buildings, Earle
Street, Crewe, CW1 2BJ.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the
Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
https://ico.org.uk; Tel: 0303 123 1113; or Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane,
Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. The Information Commissioner will not normally investigate your case
until the Council's internal review process has been completed.'

A big thank you to Liz Huntbach for the Floodgate/Swanbach Ford update, complete with photos. This is especially welcome in the apparent news blackout from Cheshire East Council about the ongoing work and probable duration of the road closure.

I can now put my purchase of an amphibious vehicle on hold.

It is obviously very unfortunate that the female supervisor on site has experienced abuse and intimidation. It seems that there will always be some who take out their frustration, understandable in this case, on the wrong people and in an unjustifiable manner.

Please can anyone help urgentlty with a flood at the charity shop.

We need somethng that can suck water from the floor.

Any help appreciated.

What a mess chapel lane has become with so many vehicles using it as a diversion option even though it's clearly signed "access only".

Being physically pushed out of the way by a Sainsbury's delivery driver is a new low point.

The works are likely to take some time yet according to the team carrying them out and chapel lane cannot cope with the level of traffic. The road is now in a very messy condition and I suspect it won't be long until the wall of the house on the corner of Hardy's lane and chapel lane suffers some damage.

Roger Green- we are looking forward to your findings on your FOI request – please do inform us of the outcome. However, one can't help feeling that establishing the facts first, ahead of jumping the gun, may have been a kinder route, than accusing a group of volunteers, who are trying their best for the vast majority of people who are against parking charges in Audlem. To be hoped, like the face of the 529 traffic lights, that green does not turn to crimson, in this instance.

I have recently received 2 emails from, apparently, Norton AntiVirus telling me I have signed up for 3 years protection. These are fakes and should not be responded to.

Is anyone missing a black and white cat very friendly handing outside the chippy in Audlem trying to get into peoples cars and walking in and out of the road

Let's hope, that whatever the outcome everyone continues to support the village businesses and traders as much as possible. Regardless of how the demonstration has been achieved, we should be thankful that there are those people that have volunteered their time in organising the campaign.

I have submitted a freedom of information request from the parish council regarding this planned March. If they have spent public money on funeral horses then this truly will be a slap in the face of the residents especially after the recent alleged fraud.

It appears from the lack of response to the posts on 20th and 21st October, asking what CE Highways actually did to try to resolve the flooding at Corbrook and Swanbach recently when they closed the road for several days, that no-one including the local CE councillor knows.
I rang CE Highways on Monday pm (30/10) and after selecting the relevant option there was an automated message indicating that my call would be answered in zero minutes.
Approximately 7 minutes of mind-numbing muzak (the same few bars of notes played repeatedly) later, I managed to speak to a pleasant woman.
I told her that the road closed and diversion signs were still out at the Gingerbreadman island just north of Market Drayton and in Adderley although someone had confirmed the previous day that Swanbach 'ford' was passable. She undertook to get the signs removed.
I also asked for a call back to advise me of the latest position regarding CE Highways' investigation of the causes of the flooding at Swanbach 'ford'.
I am still waiting for that call back and not expecting it any time soon, if at all. The road closed and diversion signs were still up in Adderley last night.
Can anyone advise on the state of Swanbach 'ford' today? I assume after recent rain it is flooded again. Is it passable?

It is always important Helen that the residents of Audlem are fully informed how Audlem Parish Council spend their precept. The payment of the hearse and horses is being paid for by four parish councillors agreed at the last Village Management Group ,with contributions from the traders of Audlem.
The councillors concerned have requested to remain anonymous.
The Audlem volunteers organising the demonstration and march on the 4th of November need to be applauded.
I as a Audlem Parish Councillor wish to thank them all sincerely, for all their time and hard work they have carried out, for the benefit of Audlem Village.
Audlem Councillor GMB

Unfortunately I heard that £500 was given by the parish council for the march.

Passed my bedtime: JOIN a demonstration planned for Saturday, November 4th at 11.00 pm Save Audlem's Future Existence
Say 'No' to Car Parking Charges

Lynne Wainwright, yes did have a dog buggy donated to the charity shop on Saturday but unfortunately for you, it was sold yesterday. If we get another , we will let you know.

I completely agree with the sentiments expressed by Martin Powell and I would certainly like to know whether the Parish Council have contributed any taxpayers money to this protest.

Yes, we do have a dog pram at the Charity Shop. We are, weather permitting, open on Saturday from 10am until 3pm. However, if you need it urgently I can arrange to meet you at the shop. Let me have your contact details.

Hi my little therapy dog is just recovering from an injury and needs to rest his paw. I have seen a dog pram and for the life of me cannot find what site it was on. Can I ask if it is for sale at your charity shop please

Yours hopefully Lynn and Rowy x🐾

I think it is a little insestive, to have a hurst/horse drawn carriage parade on Saturday. In light of many of us locals mourning recent deaths. And who on earth is paying for this protest. Hopefully not the parish council! As this was not approved at council meetings. All for looking after the village shops but let's think a little about what we are protesting against people

We are looking for any enthusiastic photographers and video makers who would be happy to record our protest march on Saturday 4th November at 11.00 am for approximately 30 mins. We have been in touch with several media outfits who would like us to forward photos and video recordings but we need some enthusiastic people to offer help! Please, if you can help, contact Stephanie.richardson@btinternet.com

Thank you to everyone who helped raise over £1500 for the Nantwich and District riding for the disabled on the 28th October. Thank you Sharon and Richard for all your hard work not just then but throughout the year. It was attended by many of our riders who attend our sessions at Reasheath college on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Thank you to all who supported us and Donated some fabulous items. We hope to do this again next year. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Martin Powell

We are now well into autumn with winter fast approaching so now is a good time to check if you or your loved ones are registered on the Priority Services Register.

This is a free support service to help vulnerable people remain safe and secure. We encourage the families of all of our home care clients in Audlem to register and would urge everyone in the village to do the same.

To check eligibility visit www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-extra-help-priority-services-register