A DECISION to remove seven roads from gritting routes in Middlewich and Moston has been called in by councillors.

Cheshire East Council announced earlier this month plans to axe 247 roads from the borough's gritting map.

In Middlewich and Moston, these include Warmingham Lane (south of Cross Lane), St Ann’s Road, Sutton Lane (between St Ann’s Road and Lewin Street), Newton Heath, Hayhurst Avenue (between Sutton Lane and Long Lane), Forge Mill Lane and Dragons Lane.

Roads were given a risk assessment score, with those scoring less than 100 axed from the gritting route – totalling 230km.

READ >>> Roads to be axed from gritting map

CEC says it was following Department for Transport guidelines in order to secure funding, but the decision has been met with cross-party criticism.

Middlewich Town Council members agreed to organise a response to the proposal, after it emerged no then-councillors made submissions when a consultation was circulated in summer 2018.

Cllr Graham Orme, who joined the council last May, said he was proposing to compile evidence as to why the roads were removed in a bid to boost the case for retention.

Cllr Mike Hunter, who represents Middlewich on Cheshire East Council, said: "It's another bite of the cherry and we need to make sure we get our thoughts across."

Cllr David Latham said: "It's completely absurd the roads they have taken out. It's an accident waiting to happen."

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: “Proposed changes to a number of highways policies and plans, referred to as ‘ Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure’ were considered at four meetings of Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee and were informed by public consultation before being considered by Cabinet on Tuesday, February 4. 

“Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report, however this decision has been ‘called in’ by members and, therefore, the recommendations within the report to Cabinet cannot be implemented until the proposals have been further scrutinised.

“The matter will now be referred to the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee by the council’s monitoring officer.

"It is intended that this will be placed on the agenda in time for the scheduled meeting on March 16.”