10/10/2026
Borough Councillor’s report: October
Things are getting done in Upton and they include some of the following:
Improvements are taking place on Countess way, resurfacing and new lines. Great news!
Bache pedestrian crossing – Full closure of Mill lane on the 18th of October. Temporary road closure notice for Mill Lane, Upton, which commences on 18th October 2026. This is necessary for safety reasons to enable pedestrian crossing installation work. Works to be carried out by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
MILL LANE: Full Road Closure between A5116 Liverpool Road and Egerton Drive. Access to Upton Drive from Bache Ave only, and access to the Premier Inn Central North from A5116 will be maintained
Woodlea Avenue road closure due on 06/10/2026 08:00 to 06/10/2026 16:00 for necessary for safety reasons for carriageway repair works to be carried out by Colas (CWAC).
Other news:
I am out and about in Upton most days and notice few food recycling caddies on bin collection days. Let’s lead by example and make Upton the ward that sets the standard for food recycling.
2026 Remembrance Parade and Church Service will be held on Sunday 8th November, I look forward to seeing you all there.
09.15 Assemble at Upton Royal British Legion
09.35 Form-up of Parade
09.40 Step off from Upton Royal British Legion
09.50 Arrive at Holy Ascension Church – service within the church to remember the fallen, especially those from the Parish of Upton-by-Chester
10.50 Depart from the church
10.55 Arrive at Upton War Memorial
11.00 Last Post and two-minute silence
Laying of wreaths
Parade will march back to the Upton Royal British Legion
Have you seen the roundabout installation in Moston of Metal Military silhouettes representing past and present. This was funded by my members budget, Fox Barracks, Dale Baracks and The Queens Yeomanry and thanks to CWaC for supporting with road closures.
Meeting with the Local Councillors and Countess of Chester executives.
It is important to note the organisational landscape of the Countess of Chester Health Park and landownership of the following
Countess of Chester (COCH)
Cheshire and Wirral Partnerhsip Trust (CWP)
NHS Property Services
Trees on Liverpool Rd
Cutback and pruning
Specifically in relation to the trees near Upton Dene on Liverpool rd, it was noted that this was not in fact on COCH, land. However, as this had been escalated, the Trust (COCH) has paid for a specialist contractor to undertake this work and has proceeded in good faith.
The discussion moved to transport and parking pressures affecting the hospital site and neighbouring streets.
They confirmed that regular meetings and discussions took place with CWP and NHS Property Services across a range of estate and commercial matters. However, none of the organisations had authority over the others, and financial constraints or commercial considerations can lengthen discussions. Staff who park in and around Upton may work for any of these.
I highlighted concerns about vehicles blocking driveways and parking on nearby roads/ traffic/ parking concerns/ parking on the countess country park car park all day without being ticketed.
We suggested that the Trust periodically check permit-displaying vehicles on nearby streets so it could contact the permit holder or their employer, providing an additional deterrent.
Their response :
They accepted that direct communication and resident engagement were important. It was also stated that the Trust had previously held local forums and would respond to direct concerns.
They confirmed that an updated Trust travel plan was already commissioned and being prepared with external input for Q1 2027. He said it’s purpose was to review progress, identify what had and had not worked and set out further measures.
We raised concerns about internal parking enforcement, citing vehicles parked on pedestrian routes and near a zebra crossing. It was confirmed that enforcement formed part of the security service, which had recently faced significant pressures and workforce shortages, now addressed. Employment of new security staff.
Car Parking – Country Park and 1829 Building
It was stated that the construction of the new Women’s and Children’s Building had increased congestion on the countess site, noting that circa four hundred local firms had been employed helping to supporting the local economy. The demolition of the old women’s and children’s unit and the removal of the blue bridge together with escalating (unprecedented number of people) numbers of attendances at A&E have further compounded flow across the site. However, the hospital is not complacent to these issues, hence the new travel plan and decongesting approaches as forementioned.
Regarding the 1829 Building car park, JD confirmed that no decision had been made on its relocation. However, the cost of replacing it elsewhere within walking distance of the hospital could make this an ineffective use of public funds.
Specially in relation the Country Park car park, it was acknowledged the challenges with policing such as area, security arrangements and committed this to be part of the Transport plan previously mentioned. The Trust is also exploring other care park solutions including the conversion of some grass verges into car park space.
Other transport suggestions were discussed including the use of Park and Ride / Morrisons / Rail however the response was Morrisons had outsourced parking management, making additional arrangements difficult and that park-and-ride operating hours did not align well with clinical shifts beginning before 07:00 and ending after 19:00.
The hospital to ensure that communications with staff is refreshed with regards to acceptable car parking and adverse effect on our residents.
It was stated that the Trust’s preferred strategy was to ease pressure on the hospital site by changing how and where care was delivered, rather than relying solely on more buildings and parking.
Parish councillors welcomed the Trust’s proactive approach and progress. They recommended communicating these improvements more clearly, as public awareness remains limited and the Trust’s website does not highlight positive developments effectively.
Actions to follow:
The hospital offered a further follow up meeting just by way of keeping communication opportunities possible.
I requested a map of the Countess of Chester Health park, The Countess of Chester Country Park and key contacts for each to help resolve the parking issues.
I have requested them to forward contact name for NHS Property Services and raise with them concern of the maintenance of those trees immediately by the front care park and Liverpool Road.
I have requested them to ensure that communications with staff is refreshed with regards to acceptable car parking and adverse effect on our residents.
I requested to organise a follow up meeting in six months time.
It was agreed that in developing the refreshed travel plan for the Countess, the team committed to stakeholder involvement and targeted surveys for local residents.
Park (Wealstone Lane) Update:
I have received an update from the Clerk regarding the Park.
An inspection of the damaged safety flooring has already taken place, and it has become clear that the work required is more extensive than originally anticipated. In addition to damage caused by travellers, a number of other play equipment issues have been identified, including faulty equipment and items requiring servicing.
It has also been highlighted that no budget provision was made in the previous financial year for play equipment servicing or for the tennis courts. While £10,000 has been allocated in this year's budget for the park area, this may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of the repairs and maintenance now required.
The Parish Council continues to face significant staffing pressures, with around 60% of staff absent due to sickness over the last six months. As a result, the Clerk and Assistant Finance Officer have been managing essential services and workloads, which has inevitably affected timescales for some projects.
Residents will be pleased to know that the Pavilion shop has continued to open on Wednesdays, Thursday afternoons and Saturdays, while the public toilets have remained open for the vast majority of the time. Please note that winter opening arrangements will begin from the end of October.
She state that the park has not been overlooked or forgotten. The planned works will involve a comprehensive review of the play area, including the swings, roundabout and safety surfacing throughout the site, rather than simply repairing the damage caused by travellers. As the likely costs will exceed the relevant spending threshold, the Parish Council will need to obtain three quotations, review available budgets and consider any insurance implications before works can proceed. Unfortunately, further incidents of damage and vandalism in recent weeks are likely to add to both costs and timescales.
I will continue to keep residents updated as further information becomes available.
End of report
Sherin Akhtar
Borough Councillor, Upton Ward.
