THE row over the ‘appalling lack of road safety’ in Croxton Lane in Middlewich has continued with both borough councils hitting back at recent criticism.


Middlewich ward member at Cheshire East Council, Cllr Mike Parsons, spoke of his frustration in Guardian two weeks ago, following yet another fatal accident in Croxton Lane on April 8.


Cllr Parsons, who also got the full backing of Middlewich Town Council at the council’s latest meeting, said he had been ‘repeatedly urging’ both Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) to do something about road safety in Croxton Lane for 10 years.


The road falls on the boundary of the two boroughs.


Both council’s highways departments have responded to the comments, with both saying they are ‘very disappointing’.


Cheshire East Council argued that the problem lies within the CWAC boundary and the part of the road falling within east Cheshire has not had any recorded collisions in the past five years.


Cllr David Brown, deputy leader and cabinet member for highways at Cheshire East Council, said: “On the stretch of Croxton Lane that falls within the borough of Cheshire East, there have been no recorded collisions within the last five years.


“The bridge is on the boundary of Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council and responsibility for maintenance of the bridge sits with the CWAC.


“All safety concerns regarding the bridge and the King Street junction have been passed to Cheshire West and Chester Council as the local highway authority.


“It should be noted that where Cheshire East does have responsibility on Croxton Lane, interactive signs have been installed on the approach to the 30mph speed limit to address local concerns.”


A CWAC statement said the council received a number of enquiries from Middlewich Town Council requesting the introduction of road safety measures on Croxton Lane at its junction with King Street.


It also said that in ‘exceptional circumstances’ following a collision, the council will not proceed with proposed engineering changes of any kind until police enquiries are complete and the judicial process has run its course.


Cllr Brian Clarke, CWAC cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, added: “Road safety remedial measures have previously been introduced by CWAC at the junction of Croxton Lane and King Street that included realigning the junction to reduce a history of road traffic collisions.


“In addition to this, during April 2015 further road safety measures were installed including vehicle activated signs in King Street and and red surfacing surrounding the existing road centre lines.


“We will of course work with local communities to try and alleviate any concerns they have with the safety of road users on Croxton Lane and its junction with King Street.”