Winsford residents concerned about removal of footpaths in Regiment Way

Regiment Way is part of Bellway Homes’ Platt Meadows development in Winsford.

Part of the plans include a ‘block-paved shared surface’ without footpaths, for use by both vehicles and pedestrians.

Cheshire West and Chester Council says this will 'encourage low vehicle speeds' and can be seen in many housing developments, both across the borough and the county.

But resident Fred Mercer is worried about the safety of such a plan, with both vehicles and pedestrians using the same narrow road.

He says this will be especially dangerous at peak times when children and parents are walking to school and people are driving to work.

“We found out recently that the developer will be taking the footpath up,” he said.

Regiment Way, picture supplied by Fred Mercer

“There are children and parents with prams who walking down here, and the road is only 12 feet wide.

“Safety is my concern – children’s and parents’ safety.”

A spokesperson for Bellway Homes confirmed the plans would be going ahead.

They said: “Regiment Way has footpaths either side of the highway for most of its length, but the final section is to be a block-paved shared surface without footpaths, as specified by Cheshire West highways department.

“This is what we have local authority approval for.”

A CWAC spokesperson added: “In line with other small streets and cul-de-sacs in housing developments in our borough and across the country, some streets are being built so that both vehicles and pedestrians use a shared block-paved road surface, without separate footpaths.

“It aims to encourage suitably low vehicle speeds, which benefits the community and supports social values.

“Part of Regiment Way will be installed as a residential shared surface forming a loop configuration, designed to allow vehicles and pedestrians to use the same surface.

“The shared surface road without footways is permitted in accordance with our Housing Road Design Aid Document.”