Chapel-en-le-Frith residents are demanding that action finally be taken on the long running saga around the temporary traffic lights on the High Street in the centre of town.

The ‘temporary’ traffic lights have been in place for well over a year, enabling a buttress to be erected to prop up a collapsing wall on the High Street.

The danger caused by the unstable outer wall led to the installation of temporary traffic lights at the location, to prevent danger to residents and damage being caused to property.

The temporary traffic lights are causing ongoing congestion through the centre of Chapel-en-le-Frith and have also become something of an eyesore locally.

For over 6 months, Robert Largan MP and Councillor Kath Sizeland have been calling for High Peak Borough Council to take action, using their enforcement powers.

High Peak Borough Council have now finally confirmed that they have served a Section 215 “untidy site” notice at 9 High Street.

The Notice will take effect on Monday 27 March 2023 unless an appeal is made against it beforehand. After that date, assuming no appeal is made, the owner will have six months to comply with the Notice.

The Notice requires the outer leaf of masonry on the front elevation to be taken down and rebuilt, and installation of steel straps between the front elevation and the floor joists and internal walls.

The work must be carried out within 6 months of the date of the Notice.

Mr Largan welcomes the Notice being issued by the Council, and hopes that it has the desired impact. However, he is pushing for further action to get this situation resolved as soon as possible.

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:

“Local residents are deeply frustrated by these so called ‘temporary’ traffic lights, which have been in place for what feels like several years now!

“The traffic lights are causing ongoing congestion problems through the centre of Chapel-en-le-Frith and it has become something of an eyesore, making the high street look cluttered.

“Councillor Kath Sizeland and I have been trying to get High Peak Borough Council to take action. I am pleased that they have finally listened and pulled their finger out to serve a notice.

“I hope that the situation is resolved as soon as possible so we can get Chapel moving again!”