Meeting held to discuss safety of road joining up two rural villages

A MEETING has taken place to discuss the safety of a road for pedestrians which joins two Moorlands villages.

The road, which joins Waterhouses and Waterfall, has been the subject of complaints for some time.

Previous attempts by the parish council, notably in 2017, to gain support from the highways department at Staffordshire County Council had led to a disappointing response, both in terms of the length of time taken to receive the information needed – and the complete lack of financial support for any form of improvement.

However, at the last meeting of Waterhouses Parish Council, the chairman Councillor David Stone, gave details of a meeting, held in the parish last month with county councillor Gill Heath and David Williams, the cabinet member for highways and transport for Staffordshire County Council.

Mr Stone said he had found both Mrs Heath and Mr Williams to be very helpful at the meeting and he hoped that a more positive result might eventually be found this time around.

He said: “The council looks forward to receiving a feasibility report before we can discuss the various options that may be available.”

Meanwhile, Councillor

Bob Turner suggested that in the meantime, details of any accidents and ‘near misses’ should be recorded as evidence for when this matter is reviewed in future.

Parish councillors also raised concerns with Mr Williams and Mrs Heath over hazards on pathways including the popular Manifold Track which runs into Waterhouses.

The popular track is used by thousands of walkers and cyclists each year but Waterhouses Parish Council said it had been noticed limestone was tumbling down the valley towards the bridleway below.

The council is now awaiting the results of the report regarding a solution to the long-standing problem, possibly by the use of netting.

Discussions also took place regarding water lying on the pavement by the school in Waterfall Lane, Waterhouses.

At the last meeting of the parish council, the following areas of overdue repairs to damaged road surfaces in the parish were also raised again.

These involve Cross

Lane, Green Lane, Pikelow Lane, Rocester Lane and a manhole by the Crown Inn, Waterhouses.

It was agreed to contact Staffordshire County Council highways regarding the issues.