CHESHIRE East Council has been honoured with an award for the safety of its roads, despite ongoing concern in Middlewich.

The Council received the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for reducing the number of fatal road traffic accidents with the number falling to 28 in Cheshire in 2013, down from 79 in 2007.

The award recognised the partnership between Cheshire East Council and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, which is the first of its kind in the country.

The Council commissioned the fire service’s road safety team to carry out road safety education at all Cheshire East’s schools, covering almost 11,000 children at 130 primary schools and 21 high schools.

The partnership’s work won public recognition as one of the most outstanding examples of international road safety initiatives.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “What a tremendous achievement by the partnership, helping to make our roads so much safer.

“But, as a responsible authority, we will not stop there – we intend to renew this arrangement with the fire service to ensure that we continue to educate our young people about road safety and further reduce road deaths.”

The partnership was commended for its ‘high level of leadership’ and ‘effective deployment of resources to making roads safer’ in what is the first instance of a fire and rescue service being commissioned to deliver this educational work in the UK.

The award will undoubtedly come as a surprise to many Middlewich residents as calls for greater road safety measures in the town continue.

Despite the award, ward member for Middlewich at Cheshire East Clr Mike Parsons, said that Middlewich’s roads are far from safe and said he will continue to fight for improved road infrastructure.

Clr Parsons said: “Obviously the fact that fatalities have been reduced is nice to know, but it doesn’t stop us carrying on the pursuit of improvement.

“They have given the award on statistics but I think if you actually showed them these roads they may think differently.

“Until we have a safe crossing point at the top end of Lewin Street where the road is widest and fastest and outside the White Horse where it is most narrow and dangerous, I will not be quiet.”