Category: News

Brextenson?

  • The original exit day of 29th March has been extended possibly up to 22nd May
  • The view from Crewe is mixed as to how to proceed forward
  • The uncertainty from Brexit will have implications for Crewe 

The 29th March 2019 at 11pm the United Kingdom was supposed to leave the European Union, due to legislative actions taken in the House of Commons the end date has been extended up until the 11th April.

Although there are estimates as to what the impact would be on the United Kingdom as a whole there has been no such look at what the impact would be on local communities.

In Crewe for example which is home to many international companies such as Bentley Motors and Radius Payment Solutions.  It is these companies which many residents of Crewe and the surrounding areas work at.

It is for this reason why Brexit is important and why it matters. Whether you voted for Brexit or not, the indecision being created via this process is not helpful for business planning or people living.

On the whole in the 2016 referendum Cheshire East which includes the Crewe area voted to leave the union. This led to candidates in the general election in 2017 to say that they would not support staying in the European Union and they support the decision of the people to leave the union.

This week action was taken to avoid the possibility of the UK crashing-out of the EU without a deal. This meant that the Prime Minister went back to the EU and asked for an extension to the day the UK would withdraw from the union.

The question is though how does this affect the economy and the people of Crewe? Firstly, the fact that Brexit has been delayed is has the potential to make feel angry that their wishes are not being completed or fulfilled.

James from Crewe told me:

Isn’t it time we got this done with. Its been 3 years already

This view was supported by Janet.

I just want this to be over with. I don’t really care if we leave or not

This is not a universal opinion though

Paul said:

Parliament is clearly unable to make a decision. Surely its time to ask the people again.

Businesses such as Bentley who trade world-wide can expect some impact if trade deceases or get more expensive. This trade-off has the potential to cause problems if demand for cars fall as costs will increases and could result in less employment.

Bargain Booze which headquarters in Crewe might also suffer difficulties, remembering that last year Bargain Booze went into administration. As many of the products the shop sells are imported from both within the EU and out of it. If costs for them increase this would cause massive unknown implications for them.

There is also the is the issue of the town centre: is business are uncertain of their future will they make expansion and investment decisions at this time. This means that the already town centre which the Crewe Chronicle described as needing to attract brands which are exciting will not happen now or until the wave of uncertainty is over.

The future of the UK relationship with the EU is as yet unknown. What the relationship will look like is also unknown. The view from Crewe however is split but one thing is for sure: if the UK leaves the Union Crewe will be affected but to what degree like everything else is unknown.

 

Police break the law?

Parked car
  • Police vehicle have been seen twice in a day parking on double yellow lines
  • According to the Road Traffic Act parking on double yellow lines
  • A fine of up to £70 can be issued for the offence

In one day police were seen parking on double yellow lines, an offence contrary to the road traffic act. The first offence occurred on Lord Street, Crewe, as residents know this one-way, cars parked both sides is extremely busy therefore it is worrying when residents have to follow the rules on this street that the police so openly flaunt the rules.

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Police parked on double yellow lines at Lord Street, Crewe

The second-case occurred late in the day on Tower Way, a street extremely close to the bus station and close access to the town centre. Parking here is restricted by a single yellow line. A single yellow lines prevents parking at anytime within the governed period.

The question is then why are police parking on restricted areas? If a fine can be issued of up to £70 how much have Cheshire Police not paid when ordinary citizens do have to pay.

With the recent increase in car parking charges especially the ones that are close to the train station. Some train users have been parking on the streets instead of paying for parking. This means that residential streets around the station are already busy and the police breaking the rules further adds to the existing problem

I contacted Cheshire Police for an explanation as to why the police are allowed to break the rules and whether there was an explanation as to incidents . As yet Cheshire Police have not responded to my request. If I do get a response this post will be updated to reflect the new information.

If you see the police parking where they shpuldn’t be. maybe its a double yellow line or a single yellow line like the ones highlighted above. Use the contact feature at the top of this page to let us know. The more evidence there is the more likely Cheshire Police will be able to aid us in questions

Pizza at Beloved Pizza Restaurant

  • Mr Pizza of Hightown Crewe overnight has seem to caught fire
  • It is not know how the fire started 
  • It is unknown when the restaurant will be back up and running 

Over night Mr Pizza of Hightown caught fire. At this time it is not know what caused the fire, at this stage it could be accidental or purposely.

Fire crews were seen at the site late last night but exactly the extent of the fire of the damage is still unknown. When and if more details are available they will be updated here.

 

Cllr vows to abolish council

picture of a man
  • Former mayor vows to abolish local council
  • Brian Silvester, former Conservative, former UKIP now For Britain candidate is standing in the upcoming town council elections
  • Silvester has criticised the council for spending on staff

Brian Silvester is currently standing in the Crewe North in the upcoming town council elections. If elected Silvester announced that we would look to abolish the council. This was met with dismay by currently councillors

Crewe Town Council was set up in 2013 via a referendum asked the people of Crewe whether they supported the introduction. The result was a resounding yes. Since its inception the council have remained a solely Labour Council with all 20 seats being controlled by Labour.

Opposition parties have indicated that they are looking very closely at the town council. Many parties are looking to make gains in this election

The election date is Thursday 2nd May 2019

To register to vote follow the link https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote must be registered by 12th April 2019

Crewe demands Revoke Article 50

  • A petition calling for the revelation of article 50 has been signed by more than 3 million people in the Crewe and Nantwich constituency
  • At one point the website broke due to the number of signatories
  • The government has not yet responded to the petition

A petition on the government’s official e-petitions website calling for article 50 to be revoked and to stay in the EU. The petition which was only started yesterday has already amassed more than 3 million signatures and at one point the website became unavailable due to demand

Article 50 could be revoked by just a letter sent by the Prime Minister to President Tusk. Opting for this action decisions would not have to be taken in parliament and would avoid further debates on the matter. In recent weeks the Prime Minister has suffered record breaking defeats on her deal in parliament. The Prime Minister could unilaterally revoke article 50 without consulting parliament and therefore might minimise her and the governments problems.

With only 8 days left until Brexit day time is running out for the deal to pass or a consensus to be reached. Without a deal the default legal option for is no-deal; something parliament was attempted to rule out in recent weeks.

From the petition website we know that over 4% or nearly 4500 people from the Crewe and Nantwich constituency have signed the petition. In the referendum in 2016 Crewe and Nantwich did vote to leave the EU so the politics of the situation will be interesting to see how they play out.

As yet nobody is certain what is going to happen in regard to the deal or any potential changes to the deal. The Prime Minister is in Brussels to try and negotiate an extension to the deal.

Cheshire East Under Investigation, Again

  • This is the 7th police investigation into Cheshire East since 2016
  • The latest investigation relates to the sale of the old Royal Mail site
  • The site has since been used for a car park

Cheshire East Council is under investigation again, this time it relates to the sale of the old Royal Mail site. Since the site was sold to Cheshire East in 2011 at a cost of 2.75 million to the tax payer.

The site was then given to Network Rail who sold off parts of the site and developed a car park and a new entrance and leased the site to Virgin Trains.

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Cheshire East Council Headquarters

 

The issue only came to light when Cheshire Live asked the council if it had any money from Virgin Trains in relation to land the land it currently uses and the car park revenues.

The Weston Road car park has 254 car park spaces, at the cost of £12 per day assuming it was full every day Virgin would make £3,048 per day. This amounts to £1,112,520 per year, since the 8 years Virgin have used the site they could have made nearly £9 million

The police at this time are not willing to comment on the ongoing investigation.

Chico time for Lyceum

  • Chico, the former x-factor star will appear in this years pantomime
  • He joined cannon and Ball for their 4th Crewe pantomime
  • Tickets are currently on sale for £27 concessions available

Crewe lyceum have announced that that latest pantomime star will be Chico. Chico rose to fame during the 200x X-Factor show. Other stars that have been confirmed for this years show include Cannon and Ball who are returning for their 4th year.

In previous years the lyceum has attract stars including Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson, Singer Gareth Gates and Eastenders actor Adam Woodyatt

This year’s show promises to be just as good as previous years, with tickets already selling fast.

The show begins on 13th December and finishes on 5th January

Post office raided

  • Early this morning the post office on North Street was raided
  • The cash machine was ripped from the wall
  • A getaway vehicle heading in the direction of Leighton Hospital was used 

Police are reporting that at about 4.15 this morning the post office on North Street was raided. Local residents are reporting that an explosion was heard. All that is known at the moment is that the getaway vehicle was abandoned shortly after being used.

Police have said that their investigation is at an early stage and are appealing for dashcam footage which might aid their investigation.

 

MP condemns Boris Johnson

  • Laura Smith today condemned Boris Johnson in the chamber of the House of Commons
  • Johnson had previously made comments about in respect to historic child abuse being “spaffed up a wall”
  • After today’s Brexit debate Laura Smith made the point of order in regard to the comments made by Mr Johnson

On LBC yesterday said that money being spent on historic child sex abuse was being ‘spaffed’ up the wall. This was in relation to a question being asked whether police spending cuts are related to an increase in violent crime.

Today Crewe and Nantwich MP, Laura Smith raised a point of order with the speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow. She called Johnson’s language disgusting and asked what she could do to pass on to constituents of Crewe and Nantwich to how best to proceed with the situation.

As readers will be aware the predatory paedophile Barry Bennell was implicated in a ring of football sexual abuse. At the time Bennell was a coach at Crewe Alex football clubs and various abuse victims had been at Crewe during their careers.

See Smith’s point of order below:

Update 19/03

Today Laura Smith wrote a letter to Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis MP asking the Party to take action and condemn the comments made by Johnson. The letter was signed by over 110 MP’s

Citizens Advice to go

Old mobile building
  • Citizens Advice bureau will move and open next week (18th)
  • The new office will be based in Delamere House 
  • This has the potential to start the anticipated town centre redevelopment

The Citizens Advice Bureau which has been in the same spot on Victoria Street for over the past 40 years will move later this week. The new offices will be based with the council offices at Delamere House.

Building
The council offices at Delamere House

If planning is approved the old building will be demolished making way for greater access for a new bus station. All of this is part of the redevelopment of the Royal Arcade and Town Centre.

Building
The new home of the Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau helps over 5000 individuals every year. They advice on a range of issues such as debt, housing and general support.

Notice
The notice on the door of the old building

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for housing, said:

“The demolition of the old Citizens Advice offices in Crewe will be the first physical works of the Royal Arcade development.

“Plans for the scheme are advancing well and it is good news that by working closely with Citizens Advice and other partners, the branch has found a new home and will be able to move in to much more suitable accommodation – located just a few hundred yards away from its previous offices.”