Press release – Sept 2025 (PDF)

PRESS RELEASE

Audley Rural Neighbourhood Plan – Have Your Say

On 25^th September 2025 at 5 polling stations across the Parish, Audley Rural Parish residents will have the opportunity to vote in the referendum to determine whether Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council should use the Neighbourhood Plan for Audley Rural Parish to help it decide planning applications in the area.

The Neighbourhood Plan has been produced by the Steering Group which contains members of the community and the Audley Rural Parish Council.  It is based on the views of the residents of the Parish, obtained via surveys and consultation events, on a wide range of issues that will influence the well-being, sustainability and long-term preservation of the community.  It proposes planning policies for the area and identifies open spaces that residents would like to protect from development.

A copy of the Neighbourhood Plan can be downloaded from the Audley Rural Neighbourhood Plan website at www.audleyplan.org

Hard copies are also available for viewing during opening hours at the Audley Library, Post Offices and the Borough Council offices.

The referendum allows the opportunity for Audley Rural Parish residents to have their say on whether the Neighbourhood Plan should be adopted or not.  If at least 50% of residents voting in the referendum support the Plan then it will come into effect immediately.

You will be asked to vote on the question “Do you want Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Audley to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

ENDS

19.09.25

Nick Hayes
Chairman
Audley Rural Parish Council

Telephone:  07946 060826  Email:  clerk@audleyparishcouncil.co.uk

Following repeated efforts by the Parish Council for action to be taken at the accident hotspot on the Audley A500 Slip Road at Alsager Road, we have today received a public statement from National Highways regarding the A500 Junction/Alsager Road which is as follows:

National Highways Route Manager, David East, said:

“Safety is always our number one priority and we have therefore reviewed existing signing and lining for this junction and are satisfied that it is clear, visible, well-lit and should enable motorists to easily negotiate the layout safely.

However, we are aware of local concerns and a recent spate of collisions so have looked at whether there is anything further we could do. A new proposal has been drafted and is being considered.  We are also discussing the introduction of additional temporary signage in the meantime.

 We will continue to work with police and the parish council to ensure this junction is as safe as it can be.”

Further information:

According to the latest published data, there were four personal injury collisions at this location between 2019 and 2023. We have been made aware of a series of collisions in 2025.

• It has been suggested that motorists are using the slip road to skip the queuing traffic on the A500 and this may be contributing to the collisions. We are approaching mainstream sat nav companies to make them aware of the collision history here and seek their cooperation in amending the instructions given out by sat nav devices if necessary.
• We are also working with police to help establish the cause of recent incidents to see why the collision rate has increased this year.
• The junction layout is a typical design and when exiting the A500 on the slip road the road markings and signing are in good order with two ‘SLOW’ road markings, road studs, one advance direction sign, nearside and offside illuminated give way signs and give way markings.  The slip road and Alsager Road are well-lit.

Notice of Polling Stations:

Notice of Poll (PDF)
Notice of Poll (Word doc)

NOTICE OF POLL AND SITUATION OF POLLING STATIONS

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

Referendum on the adoption of the Audley Rural Neighbourhood Plan

Notice is hereby given that:

1. A referendum will be held on Thursday 25 September 2025 to decide on the question below:

‘Do you want Newcastle-under-Lyme to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Audley Rural to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’

2. The hours of poll will be from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.

3. The Situation of polling stations and the description of persons entitled to vote thereat are as follows:

Dated: Wednesday 17 September 2025
Gordon Mole
Counting Officer