Alsager’s new Community Fire Station will be officially opened on Friday 7th August 2015 at 11:00am.

The fire station has been built as part of a comprehensive plan to improve response times across Cheshire. Guidelines say firefighters are expected to reach house fires and road accidents within 10 minutes of a 999 call but that was difficult in Alsager because crews were sent from Sandbach or Crewe. Following a major public consultation, a wide-ranging Emergency Response Programme was agreed in principle which involved building some new fire stations which included Alsager. The site in Brookhouse Road was identified to build the new Community Fire Station to speed up reponse times in the locality and a public consultation showed that the vast majority of respondents (95%) supported the plans. Alsager Fire Station will be an on call fire station which means it is staffed by on-call firefighters who will have other main jobs as well. Following recruitment last October 11 crew have been taken on who have been in training on drill nights at Congleton Fire Station and are now ready to start in Alsager.

Claire Wilson from Alsager is set to swim across the English Channel in August to raise money for The Christies.

Claire is an experienced open water swimmer and used to be a member of Alsager Swimming Club where she was coached by Eric Hawkins. She has been swimming a minimum of 20 kilometers a week since Christmas with as much as 60 kilometers (2400 of a 25m pool) some weeks as part of her training for the grueling ordeal. Claire will make the attempt the week commencing 8th August, weather permitting, to swim the 21 miles (36 kilometers). Under channel swimming rules Claire will be allowed to only wear a swimming costume – wetsuits are not allowed – goggles and swim cap. [Read more…]

Cheshire East Council has given more than £14,000 to boost community projects in Alsager.

Cheshire East Council Deputy Leader Councillor David Brown presented the grant cheque for £14,200 during a visit to Christ Church, Alsager.

The money is being used to buy new computer equipment and support community initiatives for people across all age groups, which operate out of the thriving community church – including youth clubs, pensioner coffee morning gatherings and a jobs club.

Cllr Brown, who presented the community ‘give back’ grant cheque at a regular ‘coffee and communion’ event, said: “It was a pleasure to visit the church hall at Christ Church and to get a flavour of the many good things which go on here. [Read more…]

Cheshire East Council is to target resources to address local community concerns about road safety – as part of its commitment to putting ‘residents first’.

To ensure this investment is targeted in the right areas, residents are being asked to provide the authority with feedback about their local priorities.

The information gathered will be used to develop an initial local community road safety programme and will also be fed into the Council’s forward programme of speed limit reviews across the Borough.

Cheshire East residents have ranked ‘improving road safety’ as one of their most important highway service priorities.

Only ‘improving the conditions of the Borough’s roads’ and ‘tackling congestion’ are rated as higher priorities.

The Council continues to invest in improving the condition of our extensive highways network – and its strategic approach has been effective in reversing deterioration.

This does not mean the work is complete – as there is clearly more work to be done. However, the process being followed is working and will continue to be developed over the coming years. [Read more…]

Council’s highways study will help ensure development is ‘sustainable and suitable’ for Alsager.

Cheshire East Council has undertaken a highways study to help ensure that any development in Alsager is both suitable and sustainable – and it suggests the town has reached its limit for housing development.

Following a series of development proposals on the outskirts of Alsager, the Council has acted to produce a comprehensive highways report for the town.

The study takes account of current planning permissions and planning appeals and advocates a coordinated approach to the local highway network.

The report reveals that, even allowing for planned improvements, some road junctions are still likely to operate ‘over capacity’ at peak times.

The new study will guide the response to any further developments in the locality – and will help ensure that appropriate improvements are made to the existing highways and transport network. [Read more…]

For the fourth year running, Alsager station has been recognised in the Cheshire Best Kept Stations competition. This year the station has received the high accolade of the ACoRP Award (Association of Community Rail Partnerships), which reflects outstanding achievement in partnership working and community involvement. Highlighted by the judges were the immaculate station gardens, improved and tended by the hard-working station volunteers and the level of involvement and support from the local community, including stunning artwork designed by Alsager School students for their station to commemorate the 1914-1918 War. [Read more…]

Alsager Residents’ Action Group (ARAG) have decided to stop their operations concerning planning issues in and around Alsager after 26 years. ARAG is made up of a group of residents who have worked very hard over the last few years to keep the community informed about planning issues, fighting planning applications they believe will damage our community, and working hard to develop opportunities to bring education and employment to Alsager. Despite ARAG working against speculative proposals, and the community objecting strongly to planning proposal’s that are not a part of the Town Strategy, every single proposal has been lost. [Read more…]

On Call Firefighters are still being sought for Alsager’s new fire station being built in Brookhouse Road which is due to open later this year.

As an ‘on-call fire station’ it means that it is staffed by on-call firefighters – they have other main jobs as well as being firefighters. On-call firefighters come from all walks of life, including shopkeepers, stay at home mums, builders, plumbers, farmers, secretaries, company directors and people who may not currently be employed, and work alongside their wholetime (full-time) colleagues. Committed, enthusiastic individuals are being asked to apply. Fire chiefs are looking for people from all walks of life with a combination of practical ability, mental resilience, courage, physical fitness and the ability to remain calm and focused in emergency and difficult situations. If you are interested call Sarah Dornford on 01606 868451 or email sarah.dornford-may@cheshirefire.gov.uk for more information.

The Competition and Markets Authority has cleared the anticipated acquisition by Asda Stores of 5 grocery stores and 3 petrol filling stations from the Co-operative Group – which includes the Alsager store. The decision was announced in December and now Asda are seeking permission from Cheshire East Council to change the fascia signs and hoardings at the Lawton Road store.