Audley Rural Parish Council (ARPC) is pressing the responsible authorities to address immediate road safety concerns at the A500 Alsager Road slip road. Alongside this, we continue to scrutinise the proposed warehouse development, locally known as AB2*, and challenge aspects of the planning application where further information, clarification or action is required.

*AB2 is the proposed development covered by planning application 25/00346/OUT. It comprises six large warehouses and a lorry park for 200 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), on land near M6 Junction 16, adjacent to Moat Lane and Park Lane. The main access would be from the A500, approximately 200 metres before the M6 roundabout. Traffic lights would control vehicles turning right across the eastbound A500.

We recognise the importance of ensuring that the warehouse proposals are properly examined and that the potential impact on our villages and residents is fully understood before any decisions are made.

TRAFFIC AND HIGHWAY SAFETY REMAIN A KEY PRIORITY

Residents have raised concerns about an increase in accidents and frequent near misses. Against this background, the potential impact of additional traffic on the local road network is a significant concern, particularly around M6 Junction 16, Alsager Road bridge and the surrounding roads.

We are concerned that the impact of congestion on the strategic road network could have a knock-on effect on local roads, with motorists potentially seeking alternative routes through our villages.

APRC have arranged for a 14-day camera survey will be conducted to monitor queue lengths on the A500 and how often queues reach the Alsager Road bridge. This is important as the congestion is often linked to the increase in accidents due to stationary traffic at this point. This is expected to start this week.

ARPC have commissioned an independent specialist review of the transport modelling submitted in support of the planning application. The review examines the modelling used to predict how traffic would behave, helping us test whether the concerns raised have been properly investigated.     The specialist review, undertaken by independent transport consultants SCP, has identified a number of significant concerns and areas where further information and assessment are required.

Some of the key findings include:

• Traffic data shows that traffic on the A500 increased by 11% between 2022 and 2025, a level of growth which is not adequately reflected in the modelling supporting the application.
• The applicant’s own traffic modelling indicates that maximum queues on the A500 westbound could increase by approximately 123% with the development and proposed mitigation in place.
• An existing accident hotspot around the Alsager Road/A500 slip roads has recorded 11 accidents between 2021 and 2025, including five resulting in serious injuries. The review identifies concerns that the impact of additional traffic on this location has not been adequately assessed.
• The potential for increased traffic to use unsuitable local roads through Audley and surrounding villages to avoid congestion has not been fully assessed.

The report also raises questions about the proposed emergency access arrangements, the provision for walking and cycling, and whether the traffic modelling has been sufficiently tested against realistic future scenarios.

Perhaps most importantly, the independent review concludes that the current transport assessment does not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that there would be no severe impact on the local highway network. It also identifies valid highways grounds for an objection to the planning application.

The review has been sent to Staffordshire County Council, Cheshire East Council and National Highways.  National Highways are currently revisiting the data used by the applicant and are asking for further information.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

We believe these findings reinforce the importance of ensuring that the application is not determined until the outstanding highway concerns have been properly addressed.

This is not about making assumptions or opposing development without evidence. It is about ensuring that the evidence is robust, that the potential consequences are properly understood and that the relevant authorities have all the information they need to make an informed decision.

THERE ARE ALSO WIDER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

With the development potentially generating over 5,000 additional vehicle movements per day, we remain concerned about the potential consequences for air quality, light pollution, noise and the wider environment.

These matters must be properly assessed, with appropriate mitigation measures identified and secured where necessary.

SO, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

ARPC will continue to:

• Scrutinise the reports, assessments and supporting information submitted in connection with the planning application.
• Challenge any areas where we believe the evidence is insufficient or important issues have not been properly addressed.
• Commission independent technical advice where we believe it is necessary to ensure that residents’ interests are properly represented.
• Engage with the relevant planning and statutory authorities to ensure residents’ concerns are properly considered.
• Continue to press for appropriate safeguards and mitigation should the development receive planning permission.

Our role is to represent the interests of the parish and ensure that the planning process is thorough, transparent and compliant with all relevant requirements.

This is about making sure the right questions are asked, the evidence is properly tested and that no important considerations are overlooked.

AB2* remains a live planning application, and ARPC will continue to monitor and scrutinise it throughout the process.

You can see the full report of SCP Limited and also the Planning application here