CHESHIRE East Council has been slammed for not giving Knutsfordians ‘what they actually want’ when it comes to the King Street enhancement scheme.

Representatives of Cheshire East Council attended a packing meeting of Knutsford Town Council on Monday night to outline the design concept of the long-awaited scheme and answer any questions from members.

The council came under fire during public participation, with members from Knutsford Heritage and Conservation Group and South Residents Association Group criticising the fact that pedestrianisation was thrown out in favour of current scheme.

The subject of pedestrianisation also divided members, with some in favour of the discarded scheme whilst others in favour of retaining vehicular access.

Clr Christopher Gray said: “I have a completely balanced view, having not lived here for very long, but what amazes me is that the views included in the town plan have been completely ignored.

“I can’t believe we have got to this particular point without taking into account what is in the report. People do not actually want this.”

Clr Yvonne Bancroft feared that the new scheme would compromise the historical integrity of the town and questioned why residents’ views weren’t taken into account.

“It’s our main street and it if it is not handled in the right way it will have a negative impact on the town,” she said.

“It’s residents before traders. Residents views are our priority – they are the majority and they are the ones paying council tax.”

However, Clr Peter Raynes said that traders need to maintain their businesses.

“A simplistic approach of just pedestrianisation I’m convinced will never see the light of day,” he added.

Clr Peter Coan echoed this view and said that pedestrianisation would never be a ‘viable option’ for Knutsford.

Cheshire East representative Jenny Marston said that 70 per cent of the traffic travelling down King Street used it as a thoroughfare and the remaining 30 per cent were parking on the street and therefore it was ‘important locally’ to retain vehicle access.

However, Clr Gray disagreed with this assertion.

“Hundreds of cars are using the street as a bypass, I think that is totally wrong,” he said. “That should not be an argument for not pedestrianising the street.”

Results of the King Street consultation are expected to be reported back to Cheshire East Council in March. Members have asked for the findings to be reported back to them and for the borough council to keep the town council fully informed.