Chatbox

Could anybody recommend a local boiler engineer who can service an oil fired boiler? Thanks

On the cost of repairing potholes there was one in Paddock Lane the other day and it took eight men to carry out this repair one working and seven watching, and the standard of the repair is abysmal. Well done Cheshire East

Open on the 12th April

I am appealing to the lovely people of Audlem in the hope someone finds a black Tommy Hilfiger bracelet that was lost yesterday (Sunday 21st). Somewhere between the Anwyl estate and the playing fields. It has sentimental value as well as monetary value so really hoping it is found and returned. Thank you

Just wondering; what is the reason walkers choose to walk on the opposite side of the road? Specifically Green Lane. I've seen a few recently who walk on the side of the road where there is no pavement as opposed to the side of the road where there is one. There must be a reason for this (other than not wanting to get too close to my house perhaps? Answers on a PostCard) Green Lane is dangerous enough when you walk on the pavement let alone when you don't. As I say though; there must be a logical reason for this...what is it please? I'll discount 'Safety' as being one of them. ;-)

Can anyone recommend a good, reliable plumber to fix my showers mixing valve. The valve is very stiff and the temperature goes hot to cold sporadically.

The putting customers first initiative doesn't mean anything will get any better, it just means that this useless rabble of incompetents will tell you much quicker that they can't do anything about it, no matter what it is you want doing. Oh, and by the way, the massive pothole in Paddock Lane is coming back despite being REPAIRED twice in the last 12 months. I shall report it again, I am sure they will be out straight away and conduct a permanent repair now they are putting us first

This damned predictive text! Remember the unfortunate soul who suggested a quickie rather than a quiche to a colleague? I'm sure the CE publicity person typed in Councillors but accidentally got Customers.

Just checking that there has not been an error. Surely the item 'Customers First at CEC' was intended for April 1st?

Any news on The Bridge reopening ?

Thank you Jackie and Bob for your suggestions. We will follow these up.

I think I have rumbled the Cheshire East policy to get us all cycling and walking more. First, invest money to lay loads of new cycle paths for the Cyclists, and secondly, let all the roads disintegrate into such a state that we can only walk on them (carefully weaving around the potholes and puddles that is)

Hello Geraint, Try Graham Railton on 560129, he has done numerous clocks for me including a GF clock. Not only is he very good, he is also very reasonable in price.

Nigel,
Thank you.
Not having "concrete news" on a "less permanent repair" made me chuckle.
That reminds me, have I missed the re run of Yes Minister this week?

Does anyone of a certain age remember that all vehicle owners by law had to pay for a ROAD FUND LICENCE and the roads were in far better condition when we did. It suddenly seemed to vanish and become VEHICLE TAX obviously to enable it, through the back door, to be stolen and used for other unrevealed purposes rather than its original intention and we are now suffering for that stupid decision. I for one look forward to the next Cheshire East elections to get this useless pothole patching Council removed from power and replaced with a council that cares about its tax payers and its communities.

I've contacted Shropshire CC for an update, for those interested please see following reply:-

Apologies for the late reply, I have been waiting for some information from the designers of the scheme.

I have been informed that they have been working on a permanent solution to the embankment repair but some local issues have prevented this work going ahead.

They are currently working on a less permanent repair to be installed so that the temporary traffic lights can be removed.

Sorry I don't have any concrete news for you but we will continue to chase the designers and contractors to remove the lights as soon they can safely do so.

You could try The Watch Doctor on Nantwich Road, Crewe 01270 254030
I used them recently and found them very good. They will have a look at the clock and give you an estimate.

Can anyone recommend someone to fix a grandfather clock ?

Bill – quite the opposite. The pitiful budget for Highways in CEC is a political choice. The cabinet signed off on it knowing it was inadequate. My point was this – don't expect anything to change, it wont, as there is no money to fund it. The solution is elect a council that have different priorities, and see Highways funding as a higher priority.

Received my 2021/22 Council Tax bill and along with it a leaflet from Cheshire East and from the second paragraph I quote;

"With a 23% cut in central government funding for highways maintenance next year, we will not be able to repair our local road network to the extent many residents would expect."

I bet Cheshire East can still find the money though for above inflation pay rises and pension contributions for themselves.

Paul, I hope that you are not suggesting that we should accept the status quo in respect of the dreadful state of our local roads. I for one will continue to report any dangerous conditions and the more of us who do likewise, the better.
"The wheel that squeaks the loudest gets the oil".

I posted some info on this a while ago. There is no point in whining about the condition of the roads. None.
Why ? The council don't have the budget to do anything about it. The CEC highways budget for 20/21 is £15m. Which won't fix a lot of anything. So our roads are in a state of managed decline. The council won't release information on the geographical spread of spend as this information isn't captured.

Thank you Bill for your advice, I'm told it can be a lengthy process to make a claim!
Also thank you to Rachel Bailey for your kind advice, it was nice to talk with you.

Hi, we use Ben Pointon Door Specialist 07714990824
He does all the maintainance on our garage door
He has a facebook page so you can view his workmanship

I was saddened to read a piece on AoL regarding the anodyne reply from Cheshire East on why gullies are not being maintained.
I have recently reported a similar long-standing problem opposite my house (in Sound). Amazingly, only a day or two after submitting a report using the council's website, a man in a van rolled up, and gave the offending grids a good dose of looking at! He was very nice and sympathetic, but uttered the usual platitudes regarding 'budget' and 'priorities'. A day or so afterwards, I received a reply from CEC which was as that quoted in you piece ... verbatim!
As the gullies I complained about had been installed several years ago – by the same council – to rectify a known problem, why is it not possible to spend a small amount of time and effort looking after their investment?
I echo the sentiments voiced in your piece about use of our taxes wholeheartedly!