Adderley Lights Saga Continues

Readers of AOL have often expressed their frustration and annoyance over the fact that the lights on the A529 near Adderley School are still there some 12 months after they first appeared.

AOL have today discovered that contrary to popular belief the views of residents have not gone unnoticed by both North Shropshire and Cheshire East Councils, but that the issue is more complex and political than would at first appear to be the case.

As Paul Totherwon from the North Shropshire Roads Maintenance Department explained, " This is an issue of cost and usage. A position we have made very clear. We believe that as most people using this road live in Audlem and the nearby villages, Audlem Parish Council and Cheshire East Council should pay for any remedial work that is required. We have had the cost of the recent floods in Shrewsbury and Bridgenorth with which to contend, therefore, funding for work such as this is extremely tight.

Being much larger than Adderley and with a higher council precept, it seems logical to us that CEC and Audlem are in a much better financial position and should be morally obliged to bear the majority of the cost."

However, on being contacted by AOL, Councillor Flair Pool, Cheshire East Cabinet Member for Roads, scoffed at this idea. "We can hardly afford to pay for this work nor do we have the manpower resources to carry it out as, given the recent Government announcement, our priority has to be to put all our efforts into bringing HS2 to fruition. Until that is completed this work will be put onto the back burner as far as this Council is concerned." Cllr Pool went on to say, "Now, we have the coronavirus pandemic hanging over us it is anticipated that the HS2 programme may be put back much further. So who knows when we can get back to some sort of normality, never mind worrying about a set of traffic lights!"

It appears that both Councils are unsympathetic, digging in their heals and refusing to budge on the issue.

AOL have yet to receive a response from the Audlem Parish Council with regards to the demands from North Shropshire Council. We will make their views known as and when they are received.

Clearly, this saga looks destined to run on for many years to come and may yet eclipse the record for temporary lights as set at Drws-y-Nant. On the bright side- at least someone is cutting the hedge which looks very neat!