Littleton Parish Council

For many years the residents of Littleton and their Councillors have been seriously concerned about cars speeding through the parish and the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. The Parish Council are pleased to report that action will be taking place.

On 12^th September 2016 Littleton Parish Council Chairman Clive Lovering tabled a discussion document which reflected these concerns.

The report highlighted the need to-

1)  Raise awareness that the A51 Tarvin Road and from there through to the schools in Christleton is a 40 and/or 30 zone. Whilst this was a commuter through-route it was also a rural village community with a large number of school children also commuting to Christleton Primary School and Christleton High School.

2)  Back up the awareness communication with having a mobile camera device available to residents for mobile use throughout the parish. Discussion with the Highways Officer recommended this method as the most effective measure, as the random nature of time and location of visible speed monitoring led motorists to change their behaviour.

Tarvin Road already had 40mph signage so enforcement was the issue. Therefore if the Parish Council had a mobile camera, it was suggested that the location of its use could be altered from time to time to keep motorists guessing. A rota could be developed to shift to differing locations. Word would hopefully spread around the local traffic to watch their speed in Littleton.

3)  Purchase a mobile speed device, only if a working group of volunteers from within the community could be successfully recruited.

Suggested measures also included:-

1) a painted 30mph at start of Littleton Lane.

2)  single yellow lines at the top of Littleton Lane.

3)  improve footpaths – No direct routes and children won’t use on bicycles on their own or in winter.

4)  liaison with Christleton High School to promote safer cycling by pupils.

At the meeting on 10^th October 2016 it was agreed in principle that the Parish Council would allocate £5,000 from capital reserves to road safety proposals and would seek match funding from other sources such as CW&C.

Parish Councillors Clive Lovering and David Brodie then researched the various Speed Indication Devices (SID) that were available. They reported their findings to the Meeting of the PC held on 5^th December 2016 when CW&C Councillor Stuart Parker kindly indicated that he might have some funds available for this purchase.

This funding was applied for in January 2017 and was approved with the funds being received from Councillors Stuart and Margaret Parker in March.

The Parish Council consulted with Chester West and Chester Council (CWAC) for SID recommendations and running a Community Speed Watch scheme. This identified a recommended device to purchase, which will inform motorists whether they are successfully driving within the speed limit or not. The SID will also be capable of gathering data such as the average speed.

In addition, Littleton residents had begun to volunteer their services for operating the SID.  Training would be provided by CWAC, who would also be advising and approving locations for its deployment. The Parish Council also have the full support of the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). Once the SID is up and running, results will be monitored and further actions will be considered by the Parish Council.

“We are encouraged that we have already had some interest from Littleton residents in manning the device,” said Councillor Lovering.  “We are keen to involve as many people as possible in our efforts to make Littleton a safer place for all. If any residents want to volunteer for Community Speed Watch or find out more about the Road Safety Initiative, I would encourage them to get in touch with me or one of the Parish Councillors.”

For some time the Parish Council had been concerned about the state of a portion of the Parish Field lying next to The Barn House Veterinary Surgery now known as Hare Lane Copse.

This land, which belongs to the Parish Council, had fallen into neglect and has attracted fly-tipping.

Having consulted with the local Tree Warden the Parish Council carried out a modest scheme of works to clear the site of rampant vegetation and rubbish. The intention was to sustain the site as a wildlife haven.

The first phase of this work, involving the clearing of undergrowth and self-seeded trees such as elder and sycamore, was carried out last summer and further work subsequently undertaken to clear the site of rubbish and level it.

Saplings provided by the Woodland Trust were planted in the Spring.

Measures are currently being taken to eradicate Giant Hogweed from the area.

The commissioning of a new landmark within Littleton Parish was the result of much indirect debate involving members of the Parish Council and those it represents over many years.

The profile of this issue was raised significantly by the publication of “Littleton – A Brief History” in 1999. Through this document local resident Peter H McCready, with the support of the Parish Council, brought together the research undertaken by the late George Good and himself to reveal a wide range of activities, happenings, archaeological and architectural facts unique to the parish.

Not too long after, the millennium celebrations were upon all public groups who felt obliged to celebrate their existence in some way or another and Littleton Parish Council was no exception. Council Members agreed that something that referenced Littleton’s heritage but also supported and encouraged future aspirations and a sense of community would constitute a worthy landmark. Ultimately an iconic cross, sporting a range of Celtic symbols was agreed upon and Grosvenor Stone were commissioned to make the object illustrated.

The cross was cast in reconstituted red sandstone and sited at the junction of the A51 and Hare Lane, opposite Barn House Veterinary Surgery. The original stone “Vicar’s Cross” stood by the road a short distance to the the East of this and was demolished by Puritans in 1613.