Mind the Gap

As residents of the Ridgeway will know, an informal gap has been made in the hedge between the Ridgeway and the A54 road to allow access to the village via the main road and now to the Co-op store.

During the store's construction the gap was widened with the removal of a tree to allow some utilities to be laid, which, when re-instated, has become very weak and spindly.
The suggestion has been made to the Parish Council that this gap be made a formal opening with the provision of steps/ kissing gate/ railings, for both the convenience and safety of users. This proposal was put to the Highways department during a recent 'walkabout' with Council officers, but turned down for a number of reasons.

The Parish Council decided to find out how great the demand for such an improvement was and conducted a simple survey of residents during June. Of the first 22 questionnaires returned 17 respondents were in favour of improving the gap.
It was agreed that this information be passed on the Cheshire West and Chester Council by the Clerk.
The Parish Council will now concentrate on resolving the current difficulties relating to the ownership of the hedge as Cheshire West and Chester Council has said that it will not consider moving this project forward until it is resolved.