Call to remove 'eyesore' boulders in village laybys

A resident of a Staffordshire village is calling on a council to remove 'eyesore' large boulders and rubble blocking viewing laybys in the area.

Nicola Beckett said the boulders began appearing on Congleton Road in Mow Cop - on the Staffordshire and Cheshire border - in March, and residents believed they were in response to anti-social behaviour and "large gatherings" taking place there.

Beckett, from nearby Harriseahead, estimated that there was "in excess of about 40 tonnes of construction waste and excavated material".

Cheshire East Council said it was aware of concerns and was working with neighbouring local authorities to address the issues.

"Discussions are ongoing and we will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to consider appropriate next steps," it added.

Beckett said she believed that residents had "taken matters into their own hands".

"It started with a couple of the laybys being blocked off, and now it's totally inaccessible," she said.

"It's an area that's of huge local importance to people that live [here]."

"It provides panoramic views across the Cheshire Plains, it's the base of the Pennines, it's the start of the Gritstone Trail.

"There are areas of remembrance up there.

"Many people just use the areas in a very responsible manner to read a book or have their lunch, and we're no longer able to access these areas at all safely," she said.

Beckett told the BBC she wanted the authority to clear up the materials and speak to the local community.

"Come up with a solution that will reduce the likelihood of large gatherings, and maybe remodelling the lay-bys,... but still enabling those of us who would like to use the area responsibly... to have some access. And [to maintain] the local beauty of the area, which has been totally spoilt."

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