Fight for Hill Chorlton

Hill Chorlton is a small village on the A51 in North Staffordshire. Its position on the A51 puts it on an 800m straight stretch on the otherwise twisty road between Darlaston and Woore. The road has become a magnet for bikers who see the road as a challenge with its many twists and short straights through picturesque rural areas. Indeed biker websites classify this road as one of the country's best biker routes.

Unfortunately the residents of Hill Chorlton and other settlements along the road do not share the enthusiasm of Johnny Fuckwit on his Yamaha - nor for the artic trucks which frequently thunder  through the village with its narrow pavements, pedestrians, horses, and agricultural vehicles.

For many years residents have tried to get things changed. A reduced speed limit, better signage to protect the pedestrians and the many concealed entrances. Warnings of the many small lanes and field entrances where local farmers with heavily laden trailers have to emerge onto the fast moving road with its poor visibility.

Accidents happen with monotonous regularity - as observers of the non-existent hedge between Kennels Lane and Stableford will note. Most of these are damage-only and so never make it to to the official statistics.

Staffordshire Police have been great. At our request speed camera vans now regularly patrol the area, as do unmarked police vehicles. Extra police patrol the area on popular "biker days". And they have pressed for the road to be given a higher priority for review of the speed limit.

Staffordshire Highways, meanwhile, put a whole new meaning to the word unco-operative. The improvements which we are asking for are not major, neither are they expensive. But to get them to show up on site, talk to residents and come up with some meaningful plans which will actually make a difference is like trying to get pigs to fly.

But now we are calling time on their uselessness and this time we will make a difference.