A MIDDLEWICH town councillor is protesting at plans to build a bus shelter because he believes the location is dangerous.

Cllr Mike Hunter is campaigning against a proposal to build the shelter in Warmingham Lane because it's too near a drop off point for several schools.

He's also worried about and the amount of the traffic already passing through the area.

The plans are to build the bus stop opposite The Turnpike, across from Chadwick Road which is the pick-up point for Sandbach Girls, Sandbach Boys, Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, South Cheshire College and Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College.

Cllr Hunter said: “When buses stop they will interfere with the sight lines from the Cross Lane junction which is now busier than ever and is dealing with more HGV traffic thanks to the ANSA site.”

“In May of this year Cheshire East Council sent letters to a very small number of residents on Cross Lane showing the plans to place a bus shelter less than nine foot from a resident’s front room window and put up against his front wall.”

At a town council meeting Cllr Hunter made the suggestion to build a crossing on Warmingham Lane instead.

Cllr Hunter said: “We asked residents to contact Cheshire East Council asking them to consider using the money for a pedestrian crossing. I took this to a full council meeting, asking for councillors to support that instead of a bus stop, which is not needed.

“The town council fully supported the motion apart from Cllrs Bernice Walmsley, Bill Walmsley and Cllr Simon McGrory.”

Cllr Hunter said he is disappointed that the bus shelter will be funded by Section 106 money, but Cllr Bernice Walmsley says that is the correct procedure.

The ward member for Cheshire East Council, said: “Section 106 agreements are legal agreements and, as in this case, can sometimes be very specific and are agreed at the time of the planning permission being granted.

“When I heard that bus stops were being considered in Cross Lane I approached Transport Services Solutions, who were handling the work for the council, and advised them of the discussions I had already had with a highways officer regarding making the area around the bus stops on Warmingham Lane and Booth Lane safer.

“I was unable to support Cllr Hunter’s motion at town council because this is a matter which I am dealing with, through the correct process, as a Cheshire East ward member."

She added: “That does not mean that I am against the provision of a crossing on Warmingham Lane, simply that I am aware of the correct procedures and of the work being done by ward members and highways.”