A WELL-USED rat run in Holmes Chapel could soon be blocked off after council chiefs confirmed they are monitoring bad driving in the area.

Sandiford Road is a residential street that connects the A535 to the north with the A54 to the south, and runs parallel with the A50 through the centre of Holmes Chapel.

It has a traffic regulation order warning drivers that the road is for access only.

But around 300 vehicles a day breach that order, resident John Martin told Cheshire East Council’s meeting on Thursday, and neighbours are desperate to see that come to an end.

Mr Martin said: “For the last three years, residents on the Sandiford Road estate in Holmes Chapel have campaigned to have the access only order enforced. To date, nothing has been done.

“You as our council have a legal responsibility towards the safety of all road users – that includes pedestrians.”

Labour Cllr Brian Roberts, cabinet member for highways, told Mr Martin that the council is monitoring the situation at the road and that a solution will be considered.

He said that a survey conducted by the council found that 66 per cent of vehicles using Sandiford Road were breaching the order – and these findings are set to be presented to police at a meeting on November 12.

Mr Martin asked whether the council would consider introducing automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to catch drivers who breach the order – suggesting it could raise ‘£3 million a year’ for council coffers and be installed free of charge.

Responding to his question, Cllr Roberts said: “It is for the police to determine the appropriate enforcement solution which could include ANPR cameras.

READ > Three cars broken into in one day

“The council has no powers to enforce moving traffic orders, and as a result we are not able to install those cameras.

“However, we will come to an agreement where we can possibly look at the potential closure of that road at one end, or even a one-way working.”