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BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Enough is enough' says MP of Cheshire road shut since January
The continued closure of a road linking two major towns is having a "massive impact" on life in a Cheshire village, according to residents and business B5470 between Macclesfield and Whaley Bridge in neighbouring Derbyshire had to shut in January after part of the carriageway collapsed following heavy footfall at the Swan Inn has resulted in its licensee reconsidering his investment plans for the pub in East Council said it understood the "frustrating" situation and was "prioritising the reopening" of the road as soon as possible. During his 19 years as licensee, Robert Cloughley said he had invested in the 18th Century pub by adding a new kitchen and Cloughley said the inn had suffered significantly this year as a result of the road closure."I don't think anybody realises how busy a road it is, and what a thoroughfare it is," he said."Something needs doing because it's impacting us an awful lot, along with businesses on both sides of the works."Mr Cloughley said it had really made him think about the financial aspects of his business."The challenges are there, obviously with the [recent rises in] national insurance, minimum wage [and] business rates," he said."Those are three elements that have gone up massively in the last two months, and obviously we've now got a downturn in trade because of these road closures [which] I find unreasonable and unacceptable."It makes us think about employing new people, trimming hours back to try and restrain costs."We've invested a lot in the business and we have got thoughts about doing other things, but we just can't do it anymore because the cash flow is not there." Opposite the pub is David G Ross Nurseries. The business has been here for 60 years and is now occupies a four-and-a-half acre (1.8 hectare) site."It's having a massive impact on us, in terms of our customers getting to us and to actually get our deliveries here," said operations manager Sue said some drivers were "just not attempting to come to us" and complained that diversion signs erected around the road closure were "inadequate"."At Whaley Bridge where the road starts, it just says 'road ahead closed', said Ms Jeffrey."It doesn't say that local businesses are not affected, so it's very frustrating for us as customers will see the 'road ahead closed' sign and not even bother to come to us."She said the road closure was also causing issues for staff who have to take their children to school in from the councol had been "zero", added Ms Jeffrey. People living in the village also said they were worried about the ongoing road worker Neelanga Uggalle, who lives in Kettleshulme, said he travels to his company's office, near Knutsford, two days a contacted BBC North West to voice his concerns about the lengthy road Uggalle said he now avoided going into Macclesfield at weekends because he believes the diversion - a single track in many places - is simply not safe."A lot of people I've noticed are not familiar with how to deal with it," he said."You just have oncoming traffic without slowing down, even though there is a passing place they could've used," he explained."Occasionally you have an HGV going through even though there is a clear sign on both ends saying it's not suitable."I think they thought 'Maybe because it's a B road - nobody's using it'."While villages like this have a smaller number of people this [road] is actually used to connect two major towns. Because of that there's a lot of traffic." Macclesfield MP Tim Roca raised the issue in Parliament and said the disruption to residents was "profound".The Labour MP said a governor from a local primary school had told him the closure had caused major issues, with it being forced to cancel swimming lessons due to the longer round trip to the pool."The impact of the closure is widespread," said Roca, highlighting issues including the impact on the road being used as a diversion, extra carbon emissions from queueing traffic, and lost school and family time for raising the issue, he said he was "grateful for the new sense of urgency" from the council's highways Pearce, Labour MP for the neighbouring High Peak constituency, said the road closure was "a nightmare" for many residents."Enough is enough," he said. "Cheshire East Council need to resolve this as we've been waiting for too long."Future of Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood said she understood it was a difficult situation and urged more communication from the council."It is so important that local people understand the work that is being undertaken," she said."Sometimes things do take longer than expected, but [Cheshire East Council needs] to explain to local people what they are doing and how they will expedite these repairs." Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East's highways and transport committee, said: "Our teams have been working hard to get this road reopened following the large landslip. Unfortunately, we cannot simply repair the road."We have had to conduct extensive ecology and drainage surveys to understand how to create a secure platform for the new road to sit on."Other technical investigations will also take place over the coming weeks, which will then allow us to design the engineering solution needed to reinstate the road."Once we finalise this, we will then give the timescales for rebuilding and reopening the road." See more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Plymouth football pioneer Jack Leslie celebrated with blue plaque
Historic England is due to unveil a blue plaque at the former home of groundbreaking black footballer Jack event at 8 Glendower Road in Plymouth later marks the 100th anniversary of Leslie's call-up as a reserve for the England squad in October was the first black player to be called up for England, but his name disappeared from the team sheet because of his skin colour. His career at Plymouth Argyle FC was distinguished by his remarkable skills as a striker, scoring 137 goals in 401 appearances. Historic England chief executive Duncan Wilson said: "Jack Leslie's story is one of talent, resilience, and breaking barriers."This plaque ensures his legacy is remembered and celebrated."Reflecting on the honour of being selected for England, Leslie once said: "Everybody in the club knew about it. "The town was full of it. I was proud, but then I was proud just to be a paid footballer." Leslie rarely missed a game for Argyle and was joint top scorer in the 1928-29 season with 22 10 March 1928, he was given the captain's armband in an away match against final two seasons as a professional footballer were overshadowed by an injury to his eye which forced him to miss much of the 1933-34 season. He struggled to regain his old form and played his final match in April 1935. Soon after his retirement from football, Leslie took on the tenancy of the Swan Inn in Truro, Cornwall, which he ran until 1938. Later that year, Leslie and his family moved to east London. Leslie worked as a boilermaker, riveter and plater in the East India Docks until his retirement in 1966. At the suggestion of his daughter Evelyn, Leslie then found a part-time job cleaning boots and sweeping terraces at West Ham United's stadium Upton Park, near his home in East Ham. In 1978, Leslie was interviewed by the Daily Mail and reflected on his career and the racism he encountered. In October 1982, he was honoured with a brief ceremony before the match at Upton Park to mark his retirement from the West Ham boot Wilson said: "Leslie's story is not only about football; it is a testament to his resilience in the face of racism. "While he never played for his country, Leslie's story serves as an inspiration for current generations, to continue to challenge racial boundaries in sport." 'True trailblazer' Heritage minister Baroness Twycross said: "Jack Leslie's blue plaque celebrates his life and inspirational achievements during his career as a talented footballer. "This plaque will serve as a reminder of his remarkable talent, resilience, and contribution to the game."Plymouth City Council's deputy leader, Jemima Laing, said it was an "important moment in celebrating Plymouth's rich local history and the remarkable achievements of Jack Leslie"."His legacy goes far beyond the football pitch and it's wonderful to see him getting the recognition he was once denied but certainly deserves," she Elliott, co-founder of anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, said Leslie was a "true trailblazer of our game, a player of outstanding talent who broke down barriers and helped shape the history of English football"."This blue plaque not only honours his achievements on the pitch but also recognises his wider contribution to society and tackling discrimination off it," he said.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Outdoors-loving dad died after Helvellyn mountain fall
An outdoor-loving father died after a tragic fall from a mountain while on a festive break, an inquest has been told. Paul Thomas Boustead, 44, had climbed Helvellyn, in the Lake District, on 29 December but failed to return home and was reported missing, an inquest heard. Mountain rescue volunteer Luke Armitage found his body about 400ft (120m) from the top of the mountain the following had spotted Mr Boustead's dog near where his bike had been located the previous day. In a statement read out at the inquest, Mr Armitage said: "The dog helped me find him - the dog wouldn't leave his side."At Cockermouth's Coroners' Court, coroner Robert Cohen concluded the death was accidental. Drugs including cocaine, amphetamine and ecstasy were found in Mr Boustead's body during a post-mortem examination, but Mr Cohen said it would be "misleading" to treat his death as a statement, his wife Tracy said she was not aware of her husband taking drugs and she could not explain why those substances were found in his Cohen said: "He fell while in the mountains and sustained injuries inconsistent with life, those circumstances are the appropriate conclusion." 'Family orientated man' The inquest heard Mr Boustead had been staying at the Swan Inn in Grasmere, where he had booked a four-night Boustead had raised the alarm on 29 December when she could not make contact with her husband and a tracker on his phone showed him not having moved from a spot near the summit of rescue volunteers found a bike the same day but were forced to resume searches at first light the next morning.A statement from Mr Armitage described there being poor visibility and strong winds when he found Mr Boustead's body in a gully above Red Tarn, having suffered "major injuries".The inquest heard Mr Boustead was born in Blackpool and was living with his wife in the Preston area at the time of his had three sons aged between one and 19 and was said to be a family orientated Boustead was a self-employed HR consultant and had been working for the Open University at the time of his death, although he had previously worked for other universities and councils around the Boustead described him as ambitious and community said he was sporty and loved mountain biking, cricket and running with his black Labrador, which the family had had since added he loved going to the Lake District to spend time outdoors. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Irish Sun
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Crucial junction closes causing chaos in major town with bin collections delayed, buses rerouted & businesses hit
THE closure of a crucial and well-used junction has caused chaos in a major town - leading to bin collections being delayed and buses being rerouted. What's more, local businesses have started to see the effects and even pupils at local schools have been turning up to class late as a result. 3 A major junction in Maidstone, Kent, has been closed off in recent days with an 8-mile diversion route put in place Credit: Google Maps 3 It's impacted local businesses and caused bin collections to be delayed Credit: Google Maps Emergency gas works taking place on Loose Road, Maidstone, Kent, have resulted in the road closure for the last week - with little information on when it will reopen. The closure, which takes place between Maidstone Fire Station and the Swan Inn pub, began at 8am on Friday, April 18, to allow utility firm SGN to dig up the road. It has also seen Cripple Street and Boughton Lane shut at the junction with Loose Road. Furthermore, drivers in the area are constantly warned to expect long delays in the surrounding areas. Read more Motors News According to cars and HGVs that pulled up to the barriers were forced to turn around. An 8.83-mile diversion has since been put in place via Loose Road, Linton Road, Heath Road, Plough Wents Road and Sutton Road to rejoin Loose Road. FEEL THE SQUEEZE The road closure isn't just an issue for drivers, as local businesses, schools, bin collections and public transport have all been greatly affected. Bus company Arriva has warned customers that the bus number 89 is being diverted and is unable to serve the Loose area. Most read in Motors On X, they added: "Apologies for this disruption, which is totally beyond our control." Audi Q5 it's the poster boy In terms of schools, the New Line Learning Academy, Cornwallis Academy and Tiger Primary School have advised parents and carers to plan alternative routes and allow extra travel time. They also say that students will not receive consequences for lateness if their journey is affected by the closure. It's also seen residents in the area go without a bin collection, with recycling and food waste collection supposed to be taken on April 22 - but the service was delayed. One homeowner in Broadoak Avenue said: "I didn't bother to put mine out. "There's no way a bin lorry could get through the country lanes. 'Cars are also parking irresponsibly in The Farrows and both a bin lorry and Sainsbury's delivery van couldn't get through.' As reported by KentOnline, a Maidstone council spokesman said that a 'few hundred properties' in the Loose Valley, Loose Road and Cripple Street areas had been affected. They added: 'The delays have been caused by multiple road closures, excessive traffic, and the diversion route is unsuitable for larger vehicles. 'We apologise for the delays. We are aware that the closure will be moved on Friday, which will allow improved access into the area. 'In the meantime, please keep your bins secure and ensure they are presented for emptying on Friday.' 'A BIT STRESSED' Steve Ervin, landlord of The Swan Inn pub that's located next to the road closure, said: 'We have been impacted. "We haven't had any passing trade at all, just locals who can walk here. "Our profits have dropped, and we are well down on what it would normally be, especially after the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. 'Usually around 30 to 40% of business comes from passing trade. Plus there is a massive detour. "We've also had cars, vans and articulated lorries using our car park to turn around in. 'They ignore a dozen 'road closed' signs, then get to barriers and realise it is true.' Chantelle Wicks, a technician who runs Halo Nails at her home in Mayfair Avenue, revealed she has had to tell clients to allow extra time to get to their appointments. She said: "I was a bit stressed at the weekend when I realised it was going to go ahead. "There isn't much else I can do than to message and warn my customers. "I have also been booking people in time slots that are further apart, just in case. 'One of my clients lives along Loose Road and was about half an hour late – she was quite stressed when she got here. 'She was diverted through country lanes and had to do lots of reversing.' The emergency works are expected to finish by Monday, April 28, although according to Loose Road could stay shut until Tuesday, May 6. A spokesman for SGN said: 'Our engineers have identified our network in A229 Loose Road, Maidstone, requires immediate emergency repairs. 'To carry out our repairs, we have to dig holes at multiple locations. 'To keep everyone safe, on Friday, April 18 we installed a temporary road closure around our work areas, which is from outside Maidstone Fire Station to outside the Swan Inn at the junction of Boughton Lane. 'Cripple Street and Boughton Lane will also be closed at their junctions with Loose Road. 'Access will be maintained for the fire station, residents, and businesses within the closure. Hundreds of homes have been affected in the area 'Bus routes will be impacted – passengers should check with their local operators for updates on changes to routes and bus stops. 'Our team worked 24/7 over the Bank Holiday weekend but it's still too soon to say how long this will take to repair – we're working to get this completed as soon as possible.' 3 Hundreds of homes have been affected in the area Credit: Getty
