The Stepping Hill Area Committee met on Tuesday 30 July 2024, approving funding for two community groups and recommending several traffic regulation orders. The committee also noted progress on the Hazel Grove District Centre Action Plan and discussed upcoming events and planning reforms.

Community Engagement and Funding

The committee received an update on the Hazel Grove District Centre Action Plan¹, noting recent successes and priorities for the next six months. Members welcomed the improvements made to the district centre, including increased footfall and enhancements to its appearance with new benches and planters. They also acknowledged the collaboration between the District Centre Manager and local businesses, and the online portal providing advice to businesses. The committee was recommended to note the progress made and provide feedback on initial ideas for priority projects to allocate £5,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)² funding.

Two applications for Ward Flexibility Funding were approved. Talk About Money CIC received £735 towards the cost of organising a community picnic, aimed at increasing awareness of local services and gathering feedback for improvements. The Stockport Armed Forces Breakfast Club was granted £83.82 to replace worn-out feather flags and pull-up banners used to promote the club.

Councillor Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, declared an interest as an employee of Stepping Hill hospital in relation to agenda item 4(i) 'Chair's announcements' and agenda item 15 'Progress on Area Committee Decisions'. Councillors Dominic Hardwick and Helen Hibbert declared interests in agenda item 4(vii) 'Ward Flexibility Funding – Stockport Armed Forces Breakfast Club' as attendees of the Armed Forces Breakfast Club.

The Chair, Councillor Pete West, announced that officers were reviewing the Stockport Local Plan in light of recent planning reforms and the publication of a new National Planning Policy. He also highlighted the success of the Hazel Grove Carnival and encouraged residents to volunteer for future events. Other community events mentioned included the Flowery Fields Allotment open day, an upcoming Hazel Grove allotment open day, and Bosden Farm Farm Fest. The council's Summer of Sport initiative was also promoted. The committee requested that a representative from Stepping Hill hospital attend a future meeting to discuss the hospital's Travel Plan.

Traffic Regulation Orders and Highway Improvements

Several proposals for Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)³ were considered and recommended for approval by the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services.

A 20mph speed limit for a residential estate south of Dean Lane in Hazel Grove was recommended for approval. This includes Wensley Drive, Malton Drive, Elton Drive, Hartington Drive, Longnor Road, Bradwell Road, Ripley Close, Matlock Drive, Sheldon Road, Sudbury Road, Belvoir Avenue, and Winsfield Road. The scheme is funded by the Government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Integrated Transport Block fund. While some objections were raised during consultation, the majority of respondents strongly agreed with the implementation.

Proposed measures along the A5143 Corridor, also funded by the CRSTS Integrated Transport Block, were recommended for approval. This includes amendments to signal arrangements at the Dean Lane / Macclesfield Road junction. Members queried the timing of proposed 'keep clear' signs outside Hazel Grove High School, with confirmation that timings could be flexible or removed. It was also confirmed that the proposed 20mph zones within this scheme would be mandatory.

The committee requested that consideration of the Bus Pinch Points – Proposed Highway Improvements, Dialstone Lane, Stockport scheme be deferred pending a ward briefing. This scheme is funded by the CRSTS and Transforming Cities Funding.

Amendments to Traffic Regulation Orders on Chester Road, Hazel Grove were recommended for approval. These include revoking a permit parking zone and extending 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions near number 29, and revoking 'No Waiting Monday to Friday 8.00am – 6.00pm' restrictions while extending a permit parking zone near number 17. This will be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget for Hazel Grove.

Proposed 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions at the junction of Catherine Street and Commercial Road, Hazel Grove were recommended for approval. While some objections were raised, members felt the proposal would improve road safety. They also requested consideration of the impact on parking on Commercial Road. This will be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget for Hazel Grove.

Proposed 'No Waiting at Any Time' restrictions on parts of Weaver Close and Chapel Street, Hazel Grove were also recommended for approval. This will be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget for Hazel Grove Ward.

Approval was given for the construction of two tactile pedestrian dropped kerbs on Shearwater Road, Offerton to provide a new crossing point. Members commented that this scheme would improve road safety, particularly for the elderly and wheelchair users. The cost of £4,500 will be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget for Hazel Grove ward allocation.

Other Business

The committee noted a report summarising recent appeal decisions, current planning appeals, and enforcement action within the Stepping Hill Area Committee area.

The Annual Review of Outcomes is scheduled for Friday, 4 October 2024. The committee nominated the Lisbon Special Educational Needs School and the Gladstone Street developments to be included on the list of sites to be inspected. Councillors Jake Austin and Helen Hibbert were nominated to attend the tour.

A report on Progress on Area Committee Decisions was noted, providing an update on decisions made at previous meetings and the current position on area flexibility funding and the highway and traffic management delegated budget.