Lache Action Plan
Hawthorn Road / Poplar Place Traffic Management
The proposal has been to consider options to better manage traffic, making it safer to walk or cycle, and improving the way the area looks and feels on Cliveden Road, Downsfield Road, Hawthorn Road and Poplar Road.
Where are we now?
Initial engagement events were held in 2023, and further engagement with schools, have identified concerns over congestion and pavement parking on Hawthorn Road which can discourage parents from feeling it safe to let their children walk to school. The large speed pads which result in cars/cyclists weaving on highway and the large ugly roundabout junction at the heart of Lache are other concerns that have been identified.
The Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Team have appointed transport consultants, following some initial traffic and parking surveys, to look identify options which would address these issues whilst also considering needs of local businesses and maintaining a safe road network.
What happens next?
A task and finish group was established and they met with consultants to share initial views. These included:
- suggestion of crossing on Cliveden Road near to shops
- potential to replace roundabout with a cross-junction to ‘reclaim’ some of the road for planting and improving the appearance, whilst also retaining space for loading and short-stay parking
- exploring option to create a one-way loop along Downsfield Road, Hawthorn Road and Poplar Road, with marked parking bays on Hawthorn Road, to reduce congestion and parking in front of residents’ driveways and making it feel safer to walk or cycle to local amenities.
- replacement of ‘speed pads’ with road wide/lower humps - to discourage speeding or traffic weaving whilst also making it safer for bus, cyclists and pedestrians.
The Consultants have undertaken further consultation with Highways engineers, drainage and Public Transport teams and are now preparing a detailed design and cost proposal. Once further details of this are available, we will engage with the task group, local businesses, and residents. At this point no funding has been committed to the project.
Have your say on the Lache Action Plan – Road Improvements
Local residents and businesses are invited to two drop-in sessions to be held at the Lache Community Centre on Saturday 22 February 10am-1pm and Thursday 27 February 4-7pm, to view emerging designs aimed at managing traffic to make it safer to walk, wheel and cycle and improving the way the area looks and feels.
Previous consultation with residents and schools identified concerns over congestion and pavement parking on Cliveden Road, Downsfield Road, Hawthorn Road and Poplar Road, making it feel unsafe for children to walk, wheel and cycle to school. Many residents raised concerns about the large speed pads and roundabout junction at the heart of Lache.
Following the endorsement of the Lache Action Plan in November 2023, the Council has been progressing design development which has had input from a local residents’ stakeholder group.
Please take a look at the plans and images of the proposals below and give us your feedback using the survey.
If you would like the proposals and survey in an alternative format, please email chesterlocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk quoting reference Lache Action Plan.
The survey responses will help us find out if there is sufficient support for each proposal to be introduced. This will help us to apply for funding to deliver any improvements.
Lache Plans 1-5
Looking south from Kensington Road and Lache Park Avenue
Hawthorn Road and Lache Primary School
Cliveden Road and Popular Road junction
Task Group
If you are interested in being part of the task and finish group, please email chesterlocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or call into the community centre with your details and we’ll contact you.
The consultants are continuing to liaise with local schools and other stakeholders to explore ideas and at this time no decisions have been taken or funding committed.
Our funding partners
