Reaseheath College has been told it needs to shut the route, a link to the national Sustrans cycleway,  because of “increasingly stringent” regulations.

The cycleway was opened about 13 years ago so cyclists could enjoy the attractive grounds of the campus on the way to and from Nantwich.

Now Principal Meredydd David is in talks with Sustrans and town and parish councils about closing this and finding alternative routes.

“We regret having to make this decision and it has not been taken lightly,” he said.

“We will work with our immediate residents, who support the college, to ensure we can develop a process that will enable them to use the route as long as they have received CRB clearance and wear approved visitor identification.

“Regulations and guidance regarding safeguarding students are becoming increasingly stringent.

“It is of paramount importance that we ensure the safety and wellbeing of all 16 – 18 year olds who are in residence.

“This means controlling visitor access to our site. Having a permissive route through campus makes it impossible to meet the stringent care standards set for residential colleges.

“It is for this reason that I have started consultation with Sustrans, local residents and the town and parish councils to inform them that we will be giving notice to close this route.”

If proposals for the large Kingsley Fields development on Reaseheath land is given the go ahead, cycle routes linking into Sustrans national cycleway are likely to be included.

He attended a packed Wistaston Parish Council meeting to discuss plans by developers for thousands of new homes in the village.

The Main Hall of Wistaston Memorial Hall on Church Lane was crammed as residents came to hear his reaction to their objections.

Three developers, Muller Property, Gladman Properties, and Dolphin Land and Development Consultancy, are targeting open land off Church Lane, Middlewich Road and Wistaston Green Road.

Villagers fears include the potential loss of Wistaston’s “Green Gap”, increase in traffic, reduction of open space and recreation areas, and the negative impact on local schools and health facilities.

Cllr Jones said Cheshire East Council stands “strongly” against these unwanted, unsustainable developments and was producing a robust five-year-housing plan to protect local residents.

A representative from the newly formed “Hands Off Wistaston” campaign group  advised residents who object to the proposals to register and submit reasons for their objection to Cheshire East.

Residents can also register and sign an online ePetition to protect green space in Wistaston.

For details, contact the group at handsoffwistaston@hotmail.co.uk , www.facebook.com/HandsOffWistaston, on Twitter @HandsOffCW2.

United Utilities aims to carry out major sewer works to tackle flooding problems along the main A530 in and out of Nantwich.

And they say this could involve Wellington Road being closed for almost all the school summer holidays, from Station Road to the junction with Parkfield Drive.

They plan to lay a new major sewer running from the A530, across part of Brookfield Park and down to Shrewbridge Road.

It is also likely to disrupt several allotments at Brookfield Park, and may close part of the park off itself.

A spokesman for Nantwich Town Council said: “United Utilities will be undertaking a major drainage scheme during the summer to alleviate drainage problems being suffered by properties in Wellington Road.

“Most of the work will take place over the school summer holidays with a start planned for the last week of term in July.   The work will last for about eight weeks.

“Wellington Road will be closed between Station Road and Parkfield Drive.

“It has major implications for the southern part of the town.”

Diversions will send traffic into town via Peter de Stapleigh Way, Ellwood Drive and London Road.

No specific dates for the closures have yet been announced.

“The work will affect several allotments on both the Wellington Road and Brookfield sites. Allotment holders have been consulted,” added the council spokesman.

A United Utilities spokeswoman said 17 homes will be taken off the flooding National Risk Register as a result of the work.

Carrying out the work in the summer holidays should minimise disruption to local residents, she added.

United Utilities is to hold an exhibition to outline the plans, including the alternative route, on Friday June 21 at Brookfield Hall, Shrewbridge Road between 11am and 7.30pm.

Horticulture students moved four 10-year-old yew trees from the town square which were blocking views of the town’s historic buildings.

The trees have been replanted in a more suitable position alongside St Mary’s Parish Church.

The central, semi-circular bed will be redesigned by garden design students from the Nantwich college, who will then hand the project back to the horticulture students.

The bed will be built up and replanted with perennials and some annuals, with the students aiming to complete the planting in June in time to impress the judges.

They will also join Nantwich in Bloom volunteers busy ensuring the town’s flower beds, tubs and baskets are in top condition.

In an innovation this year, students will label new and established plants so townsfolk can learn more about different varieties.

Students have also helped the new Rector at St Mary’s, the Rev Canon Dr Barry Wilson, to improve other areas around the church.

Horticulture course leader Anthony Saxon, a committee member for Nantwich in Bloom, said: “As a college we encourage our students to get involved with their local community.

“The new design and planting scheme should provide a colourful, eye-catching centre-piece which will be enjoyed by Nantwich’s residents and visitors.

“Hopefully, it will also earn full marks during the judging of Nantwich in Bloom.

“The bed has quite heavy shade, so we will be quite specific about the new planting.”

Nantwich has won national and regional accolades in Britain in Bloom in previous years, culminating in a silver gilt award in 2012 in the most competitive ‘town’ category.

Secretary of Nantwich in Bloom Sue Hughes said: “We are delighted that Reaseheath’s horticulture and garden design students have become so involved with the scheme this year.

“With their help we have been able to take on more demanding projects around the town. We hope that the improvements we are making will lead us to even more success this year.”

The team tackled woodland areas by the River Weaver footbridge off St Anne’s car park and Shrewbridge Road car park.

The attractive sites are popular with walkers and residents, but have been blighted by litter.

Volunteers collected mountains of fast food packaging, bottles, cans, discarded dog poo bags, sweet papers and more.

“Volunteers worked enthusiastically to transform these areas,” said a spokeswoman.

“To reinforce their efforts the Litter Group strongly urge people to use the litter and dog bins provided.

“Afterwards coffee, refreshments and a chat were welcome at Enzo cafe in Nantwich square!”

The next Group Pick will be at 10am on Wednesday May 29.

New volunteers are welcome and litter picking kit can be provided.

For details contact Team Leader Joyce Webb on 01270 626435 or email joycewebb47@hotmail.com

Campaigners hope the group will help defend Wistaston against “unnecessary, unsustainable and unwanted development”.

It comes after two property developers Gladman and Muller unveiled their plans to build up to 1,800 new homes in Wistaston in the last few weeks.

The group has launched a Twitter page and a Facebook page.

Cheshire East Council Leader Cllr Michael Jones will be at the next Wistaston Parish Council meeting on May 16 at 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall on Church Lane.

A spokesman said: “Please attend to send the message that we want to keep our Green Gap here in Wistaston.”

Around 400km of the road network in the borough are still in need of repair, despite more than 21,643 potholes being filled so far this year.

And 25% (100km) of the network classed as defective is in the Nantwich area.

Another 18% is in Congleton, 18% in Macclesfield, 17% in Crewe, 13% in Knutsford, 5% in Poynton and 4% in Wilmslow.

Cheshire East Council says warmer spring weather means repairs to highways can gather momentum.

Highways teams have filled 21,643 potholes between January 1 and April 21. They aim to repair more than 50,000 by the end of 2013.

Members of the public are being encouraged to report all potholes to Cllr Dave Topping, Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet member in charge of environment.

The authority is investing £25 milllion in road repairs and resurfacing works over two years.

They want to prioritise defects and roads in the worst condition and end the “cycle of decline” in the network.

Cllr Topping said: “We have been working really hard to repair the crumbling fabric of our roads – but there is still much to do.

“That is why we want people to report potholes to the council, so we can target the worst problems more effectively and quickly.

“Successive bad winters and flooding last summer have left our roads in a poor condition and we know what we have to do to keep the network in a safe condition and clear the backlog of repairs.

“A measure of our commitment is that we are investing £25m over two years to repair local roads – and this will have a major impact on improving road conditions for local people and drivers.”

You can report a pothole via the Council’s website at: www.cheshireeasthighways.org/ReportIt

Alternatively, ring the highways team on 0300 123 5020.

The employees are now equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) given to them by North West Ambulance Service.

The 147-berth marina welcomes hundreds of visitors every year, and is surrounded by 100 acres of farmland networked with walking trails.

The AED will be sited at the marina, in Church Minshull, and will be available to access 24 hours a day.

Nick Blair, NWAS resuscitation development officer, said: “I am really pleased the marina has taken on board our initiative to place AEDs where there is an increased risk of cardiac arrest due to the high number of visitors.

“Staff are now equipped with the knowledge and skills that could save a life – joining over 2.6 million people in the UK who have already been trained as part of the initiative.

“The machines are so simple to use and cannot do any further harm to the patient.

“They only allow you to deliver a shock if a patient is in a specific rhythm.

“The AED delivers an electric pulse through the chest, in an attempt to restore normal heart rhythm.

“A patient’s chance of survival decreases 10% for every minute that passes without defibrillation. Therefore with the application of an AED within five minutes of collapse the best possible chance of survival is maintained.”

Robert Parton, Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina director, said: “We are delighted to have been trained in the use of the AED by the NWAS, and been allocated a machine for use at the marina complex, although the AED is available for anyone to use.

“It will add a lot to improving the first aid provision we can provide t visitors at the marina.”

The Nantwich college, which is opening its zoo especially for World Tapir Day, is the only one in the UK with tapirs in its collection.

And their two Brazilian tapirs, Ernie, who is eight, and four year-old Timmy, are sure to prove a big hit with animal lovers.

Student members of the Conservation Society are supporting World Tapir Day by holding presentations on the importance of conserving the animals and their habitat.

They are also creating an animal trail which families can follow around the zoo.

Reaseheath’s tapirs are one of four global species, all of which are in decline due to the destruction of rainforest by humans and the effects of hunting.

Tapirs are most closely related to the horse and rhinoceros and closely resemble relatives which roamed the earth 35 million years ago.

Animal Centre deputy manager Amy Dunbar said: “We are hoping our tapirs will be out in their enclosure ready to meet visitors.

“They are fascinating animals and we are taking the opportunity of World Tapir Day to give the public the chance to learn more about the species and why it’s important that we conserve it.

“Saving tapirs helps to save the rainforest, and saving rainforests helps to save the planet and prevent climate change.”

Reaseheath’s zoo will open between 10am and 5pm on Saturday April 27.

Entry is £5 adults, £4 concessions, £15 family ticket and children under three go free.

(Pic: Amy Dunbar gives Ernie the tapir a bath in preparation for meeting his visitors)

Plans for 1,100-homes, business and retail units at Kingsley Fields will be on view for a final time at Nantwich Museum tomorrow (April 25).

Reaseheath College and developer Mosaic Estates have drafted the plan for the site between the A51, Welshman’s Lane and Water Lode.

There is also provision for a new primary school and community centre,  a riverside walkway, allotments, open space for a children’s playground, a multi-use games area and outdoor gym.

Developers believe it will meet housing need for the town until 2030 as highlighted in Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan.

A spokesman for Mosaic Estates said “extensive discussion and comment” has confirmed its suitability and sustainability for a range of land uses.

Reaseheath College principal Meredydd David (pictured) says income from sale of land as part of the proposal will be ploughed back into developing the college.

“This will enable us to develop a high quality scheme of which we can all be proud, and which will bring considerable benefit to Nantwich and its surrounding areas,” he added.

The consultation will run from 3pm to 7.30pm in Nantwich Museum’s Millennium Gallery tomorrow (Thursday April 25).

The public exhibition showed plans for the homes on land known locally as ‘Witter’s Field’, in Wistaston.

Gladman says the homes will include 30% affordable housing, and an area of public open space with recreational facilities.

Friday’s exhibition followed a similar event held the week before by Muller Property Group who propose to build up to 1,500 homes in Wistaston.

Three representatives from Gladman were at the exhibition which included 12 separate display boards and a box for feedback forms.

“I did not hear anyone in favour of the proposal, other than representatives from Gladman,” said one villager.

Among the objections to the Gladman plan are the loss of land used by dog walkers, runners and walkers, and an increase in congestion in Church Lane and surrounding areas from the single entrance/exit road for vehicles.

It was also felt there was confusion over who would live in the houses and where the jobs would come from to support them, as well as the blight of an urban expanse in a rural setting.

Others voiced fears that Muller and Gladman were trying to “land bank” fields which is seen as more profitable land than brownfield sites.

Cllr Margaret Simon, who represents Wistaston on Cheshire East Council, said: “I think it’s fair to say that Gladman and Muller are not flavour of the month in Wistaston and Willaston for their farcical attempts at pre application consultations.

“These two developers have done themselves no favours with their last minute so called ‘consultations’.

“The existing Crewe and Nantwich Green Gaps must be retained in their entirety, these speculative developments are unplanned, unsustainable and unwanted.”

(pics by Jonathan White)

Firefighters, fire cadets and volunteers will be armed with buckets and sponges to help raise money for “The Fire Fighters Charity”.

The charity car wash will take place at Nantwich community fire station on Beam Street on Saturday April 20.

and staff will also provide all drivers with vital road safety advice.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin, who is chair of the Fire Fighters Charity, said: “The charity car wash is a great way to raise money.

“The Fire Fighters Charity has provided assistance to serving and retired firefighters for more than 60 years and also to increase awareness of road safety.

“Unfortunately our firefighters see first hand the tragic consequences of road traffic collisions.

“I really hope drivers will go along and support this event as they will not only be helping The Fire Fighters Charity but they will also take away vital road safety advice which could save their lives.”

The charity car wash will take place at Nantwich Community Fire Station between 10am to 4pm.