Plans to move two Stockport streets into a new area under a shake-up of the borough’s political map have sparked fury from residents.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is looking to rejig council ward boundaries for the first time since 2003.
The aim is to ensure councillors represent roughly the same number of voters - known as ‘electoral equality’ - and that wards reflect community ties and identities.
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Proposals include unifying Cheadle Hulme North and South into a single ward, bounded by the Micker Brook and Hulme Hall Road.
However, Crossefield Road and Meadway Road - both currently in Cheadle Hulme North - would be shunted into a new Cheadle East and Cheadle Heath ward to ensure ‘good electoral equality’.
This has not gone down well with residents of the two streets, who say the plans make ‘no sense’ and would have a damaging impact on the community.
More than 50 people attended a public meeting with local councillors last month, where opposition to the recommendations - which form the basis of an ongoing consultation - was made clear.
Amanda Diaczuk, of Crossefield Road, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that residents felt part of Cheadle Hulme - and wanted to stay that way.
“We feel we are being excluded from the Cheadle Hulme community. It’s something we have been part of for many, many years,” she said.
“We have our parish here, our shared interests and community groups.”
Amanda, 46, makes the point that the Ladybridge Connect social club, off Meadway Road, would remain part of Cheadle Hulme, yet the road itself - would come under Cheadle East and Cheadle Heath.
“Nothing about this makes any sense, whatsoever,” she added.
Some may question whether the change would make any real difference to people’s day to day lives - but Amanda belives it will.
“We do feel the proposed changes will have a negative impact on our community," she said.
“It’s ludicrous. We have been building up this community over the years. That’s created this diverse and inclusive environment - providing a sense of belonging to residents of Crossefield Road and Meadway Road.
“That’s going to be lost, there’s no two ways about it."
Amanda - a trade compliance and governance officer - says she only lives a ‘stone’s throw’ from Cheadle Hulme shopping centre and the train station - but would have to report any concerns to councillors in a different ward.
“A lot of residents on Crossefield Road and Meadway Road have lived here for over 40 years - for them it is Cheadle Hulme and they have been represented by Cheadle Hulme councillors," she continued.
“We want to be able to be represented and supported by local councillors that actually understand us, know us, know the area and can get things done."
Residents also question whether the proposals are achieving their aim of ‘electoral equality’ given that some stray significantly above and below the overall average - albeit none by more than 10pc.
Cheadle Hulme North ward councillor Tom Morrison is also opposed to the proposals.
He said: "It’s clear many residents are angry at the proposals which will see Cheadle Hulme split in two.
"I have objected to the proposals on the basis the Local Government Boundary Commission have even gone against their own aims, by not reflecting the local community and not achieving electoral equality across the borough.
“The commission simply must come back with a revised scheme that takes on board feedback from the local community.”
Consultation on the plans - which would also see Stepping Hill replaced by a new Norbury ward- runs until Monday (January 10) and has attracted nearly 1,000 comments.
The commission says it will draw on local insight before coming up with its final proposals.
A spokesperson said: “Our independent electoral reviews recommend new patterns of wards so that each councillor represents about the same number of electors.
“We also aim to ensure that the pattern of wards reflect community ties and identities and promotes effective local government.”
“Local insight helps us deliver the best electoral arrangements. That’s why we ask people and organisations to tell us what they think of our proposals.
The consultation can be found at lgbce.org.uk
