Daresbury Parish Plan
Snapshot report
Introduction
The information given in this report is a summary of the raw data collected from the Daresbury Parish Plan Residents Questionnaire used to produce the Parish Plan. The sections are listed below.
Questionnaire Sections
B. Access to Services and Transport
Demographics
|
Male |
48 |
|
Female |
56 |
|
0 – 16 |
3 |
|
17 – 25 |
4 |
|
26 – 35 |
11 |
|
36 – 45 |
22 |
|
46 – 55 |
26 |
|
56 – 65 |
24 |
|
66 - 75 |
10 |
|
75+ |
4 |
A. Environment
A1. Would you like to see more trees, shrubs and pots of flowers planted?
Yes 74
No 17
N/A 9
A2. Would you like to see a designated wildlife area? e.g. a village pond or a child-friendly nature trail.
Yes 65
No 24
N/A 11
A3. Are the footpaths adequate? e.g. condition, location, number.
Yes 61
No 19
N/A 20
A4. Would you like to see home insulation and other energy saving methods encouraged?
Yes 79
No 10
N/A 11
A5. Would you like to see the use of renewable energy sources promoted? e.g. solar panels.
Yes 74
No 13
N/A 13
A6. Are the following environmental services adequate?
· hedge cutting
Yes 62
No 27
N/A 11
· grass cutting
Yes 64
No 24
N/A 12
· weed control
Yes 50
No 33
N/A 17
A7. Is there too much light pollution?
Yes 49
No 39
N/A 12
A8. Is there too much noise pollution?
Yes 51
No 40
N/A 9
A9. Is litter and fly tipping a problem?
Yes 66
No 21
N/A 13
A10. Please describe any other pollution or nuisance.
Homosexual soliciting in and around Morphany Lane, Newton Lane and Summer Lane; speed and volume of traffic, quiet roads used cut-throughs, flooded roads, parking in Chester Road, tractor noise over speed bumps, racing on A56, ever increasing air traffic into Liverpool airport; air pollution from Widnes, clouds generated by Fiddlers Ferry Power Station; litter in roadside; water pipe leaking continuously over several months in (old)Chester Rd; speed bumps out of character, Daresbury Tower eyesore; travellers.
A11. Would you like to see environmentally friendly practices promoted?
Yes 75
No 10
N/A 15
A12. Would you like to see the village well reinstated?
Yes 57
No 19
N/A 24
A13. Would you like to see bird and bat boxes made available for new and existing buildings?
Yes 65
No 18
N/A 17
A14. Would you like there to be a wildlife and habitat audit?
Yes 50
No 28
N/A 22
Comments
Existing situation
Most in favour of planting though some believe current situation adequate and there is no need as it is a waste of money.
Daresbury Firs, Keckwick Hill, canal towpath and Moore wildlife areas highlighted. Pots around phone box appreciated.
Footpaths that exist are generally adequate.
Problems
No mains gas.
Not enough information available on energy saving or renewable energy, existing grants poorly promoted.
Renewable energy sources expensive.
Ragwort and other weeds need better control. Hedges overgrown.
Excessive light from A56, golf driving range, Daresbury Park, Daresbury Labs and Science Park and various security lights in and around village.
High noise levels from A56, M56, speed bumps in Village particularly farm traffic, vans trailers and buses, also air traffic. Taxi hooting outside Ring o’ Bells.
Tipping and litter; especially Red Brow Lane, Lewis Carroll Wood, lay-bys / spare ground on Chester Road, Summer Lane, Higher Lane, Morphany Lane, Newton Lane, Pillmoss Lane, Delph lane, Keckwick Lane, general litter in roadside allowed to collect for too long.
Speed bumps ruin character of village.
Homosexual soliciting in lay-bys at night around Summer Lane, Morphany Lane and Newton Lane.
Daresbury Tower eyesore.
Clouds from Fiddlers Ferry power station.
Suggestions
Village life would be improved by more planting – particularly native trees and shrubs
Suggestions include:
· Trees (also useful to reduce noise and screen recent science and business park developments)
· Wildflowers eg on A56 verges
· Higher hedges along motorway end of A56 to help stop noise
· Approach local business for funds
· Enlist help of school children
Wildlife area with pond: various locations suggested, though safety issues raised regarding pond. Enhance existing wildlife locations, though ensure does not appear artificially constructed.
Various footpaths eg to Hatton. See comments on pavements in Section E.
In favour of energy saving and renewable energy schemes and legislation; club together to get better deals. Greater use of biodiesel.
Grass and hedges need better maintenance (and monitoring).
Provide and promote free removal of household waste such as fridges and sofas to reduce need for tipping.
Generally in favour of reinstating village well, but cost and safety issues raised.
Bat and bird boxes:
- ‘do it yourself’
- necessary if more trees are planted?
- should be encouraged but not a priority
Habitat audit: views mixed, some welcome but suggest done by locals to keep costs down, others indifferent.
B. Access to Services and Transport
B1. Do you have adequate access to the following services?
· doctor
Yes 78
No 9
N/A 13
· dentist
Yes 63
No 24
N/A 13
· pharmacist
Yes 74
No 10
N/A 16
· health visitor
Yes 37
No 13
N/A 50
B2. Do you use a library?
Yes 45
No 49
N/A 6
B3. Do you have the following delivered to your house?
· Milk
Yes 15
No 83
N/A 2
· Newspapers
Yes 35
No 62
N/A 3
B4. Would you use a farm shop?
Yes 87
No 7
N/A 6
B5. Any other kind of shop or outlet
Yes 38
No 38
N/A 24
B6. Are there enough postal deliveries and collections?
Yes 85
No 9
N/A 6
B7. Would you like to see access to other postal services?
Yes 9
No 63
N/A 28
B8. Does the refuse service collection meet the needs of your household?
Yes 76
No 18
N/A 6
B9. Is collection of waste paper adequate?
Yes 36
No 51
N/A 13
B10. Is provision for recycling other materials adequate?
Yes 16
No 70
N/A 14
B11. Please rank the following methods of transport to show which you use
(Number in order of use 1 highest 7 lowest, leave blank if do not use)
|
|
Car |
Train |
Bus |
Taxi |
Bike |
Motorbike |
Foot |
|
e.g. |
1 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
2 |
· for work:
|
Car |
Train |
Bus |
Taxi |
Cycle |
Motorbike |
Foot |
|
60 |
9 |
2 |
9 |
4 |
3 |
13 |
· for school or college:
|
Car |
Train |
Bus |
Taxi |
Cycle |
Motorbike |
Foot |
|
57 |
4 |
14 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
· for shopping, recreational, medical etc.
|
Car |
Train |
Bus |
Taxi |
Cycle |
Motorbike |
Foot |
|
61 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
9 |
3 |
10 |
B12. Do you need to use public transport from / to Daresbury parish?
Yes 8
No 82
N/A 10
B13. Do you rely on others to help you with transport for your daily tasks (such as shopping)?
Yes 5
No 90
N/A 5
B14. Which city/town/village do you use most for your services?
Stockton Heath 47
Warrington 27
Runcorn (inc Halton Lea) 5
Chester 4
Frodsham 3
Manchester 3
Northwich 2
The following places were also mentioned, but their percentages were less than 2: Preston Brook, Widnes, Weaverham, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Gemini, Trafford Park, Moore, Liverpool, Stretton, Handforth Dean, Didsbury.
B15. Is there adequate access to the following services via public transport?
· shops (supermarket, bank, newsagent etc)
Yes 17
No 38
N/A 45
· medical (doctors, dentist, hospital)
Yes 13
No 41
N/A 46
· railway / airport
Yes 14
No 38
N/A 48
· recreational (cinema, pub, leisure centre)
Yes 14
No 40
N/A 46
· place of worship
Yes 18
No 23
N/A 59
B16. Do you have sufficient information on current public transport provision?
Yes 30
No 51
N/A 19
B17. What would encourage you to use public transport?
Availability, frequency, reliability, regularity, convenience, cleanliness, security; evening service; subsidised/free service; shuttle to Stockton Heath, Moore, Warrington; nothing – use car.
Comments
Existing situation
Most use Stockton Heath library & other facilities, followed by Warrington. Virtually none use Runcorn.
Mobile library service available though used by few.
Paper and milk deliveries available in village, though some not aware and/or considered expensive. Internet shopping (eg Tesco) used by some.
Car most popular and essential for living in rural area, it was recognized a more regular bus may be not viable.
Public transport is adequate for access to services in Warrington & Runcorn but most use own transport anyway.
Problems
Lack of NHS dentist and need to travel for health services and limited choice of Doctors.
Postal service limited to one collection/delivery a day.
Lack of post boxes.
Can’t renew car tax at local PO.
Wheelie bins not available to all.
Some have been provided paper recycling bins but are not collected.
No provision to recycle cans, plastics, card board and vegetable matter.
Not enough public transport information.
Suggestions
Generally local shop/farm shop popular (possibly mobile). Fresh, local, organic produce.
Café, bakery.
Post boxes in outlying areas eg Delph Lane.
Post office within Ring o’ Bells. Road tax from local POs (Moore, Preston Brook)
More facilities for recycling, suggested site: Ring o’ Bells car park. Collection for garden waste, tins, glass, plastic, cardboard.
Low cost, reliable services would encourage villagers to use public transport and especially a bus to Stockton Heath. Services combined with car use eg park and ride. Bus services timed to connect with trains.
C. Education
C1. Do children in your household attend local authority schools?
Yes 14
No 15
N/A 71
C2. Is it important that there is a school in Daresbury parish?
Yes 79
No 4
N/A 17
C3. Would you like to see priority for enrolment at Daresbury School be given to residents of the parish?
Yes 78
No 5
N/A 17
C4. Do you think access to secondary schools is good?
Yes 16
No 23
N/A 61
C5. Do you think there is good access to post 16 year old full time education?
Yes 21
No 12
N/A 67
C6. Is there is good access to adult education classes?
Yes 24
No 21
N/A 55
C7. Should there be provision for adult education using a centre in Daresbury parish?
Yes 41
No 29
N/A 30
Comments
Existing situation
Daresbury school has an excellent reputation.
Northwich and Warrington colleges favoured over Halton.
There is not a large demand for adult education, enough colleges locally.
Problems
Concern over feeder school policies.
Halton schools have poor reputation.
Choice of FE and AE courses locally is poor. Transport to colleges only OK by car.
Not enough information on adult education.
Suggestions
A school in Daresbury is important for new residents, to keep community together and because it is a good school.
Most feel that priority should be given to villagers.
Adult education may be worth promoting.
D. Community Activities
D1. What social activities are you already involved in within Daresbury parish?
Local pub, Church, walking, cycling, WI, gardening, Hatton show, Warrington Horse Show, School PTA, gym (Daresbury Laboratory), fishing, shooting.
D2. What social activities are you already involved in outside Daresbury parish? (e.g. cinema, theatre, leisure centre)
Cinema, theatre, leisure centre, various sports, pubs and restaurants, casino, book club, Church, walking, bridge, history, quizzes, Stretton YFC, NCT and child development mornings.
D3. Do you think Daresbury parish would benefit from more community activities?
Yes 37
No 24
N/A 39
D4. Do you usually attend the Hatton Show?
Yes 49
No 42
N/A 9
D5. Do you think a “Welcome Pack” should be provided for new residents with key local details such as refuse collection days, details of local services and local community activities and contacts?
Yes 78
No 13
N/A 9
D6. By which of the following ways would you like to be kept informed about parish matters.
· notice board
Yes 35
No 22
N/A 43
· parish magazine
Yes 45
No 17
N/A 38
· parish newsletter
Yes 62
No 13
N/A 25
· parish website
Yes 53
No 13
N/A 34
· free newspaper
Yes 40
No 21
N/A 39
D7. Do you use the internet at home?
Yes 80
No 17
N/A 3
Comments
Existing situation
Pub is popular social venue. Walking and cycling also popular.
Theatre, cinema and dining out popular outside village. Also leisure centres and sports activities.
Internet good for transport information eg local bus and train time tables.
Hatton Show good for area, a great tradition and should be encouraged & supported.
Most people have access to Internet.
Problems
Many do not participate in village social activities.
Poor promotion of community activities.
Welcome pack/ maintenance of website may be costly.
Broadband speed slow.
Suggestions
Annual clean up or wild life projects to involve community. Competitions such as best garden. Musical evenings. Best Kept Village or other social/community activities may be supported but concern that may not be enough interest.
Visitor centre might be use to promote more awareness of Community Heritage/Local History.
Better promotion of Hatton Show and update competitions and fees. Availability of local and homemade produce.
Welcome pack good for newcomers (& existing residents?) though some believe costly and waste of time and money.
Website/e-mail favoured but a newsletter for those without Internet.
Broadband speed needs improving.
E. Roads and Traffic
E1. Are the roads in good condition?
Yes 59
No 31
N/A 10
E2. Are the road signs correctly sited and in good condition?
Yes 68
No 15
N/A 17
E3. Are the roads safe for:
· general traffic
Yes 53
No 17
N/A 30
· pedestrians
Yes 40
No 40
N/A 20
· cyclists
Yes 41
No 33
N/A 26
· horses
Yes 34
No 41
N/A 25
E4. Do you feel that the speed control measures are adequate?
Yes 48
No 45
N/A 7
E5. Is the volume of traffic acceptable?
Yes 64
No 27
N/A 9
E6. Do you consider car parking to be a problem?
Yes 26
No 68
N/A 6
E7. Are the pavements in a safe condition?
Yes 59
No 12
N/A 29
E8. Is the street lighting adequate?
Yes 67
No 16
N/A 17
Comments
Existing situation
Most concerned about condition of roads, traffic volume and speed.
Parking concern, particularly regarding school traffic.
Lack of pavements away from village.
Lighting away from village.
Problems
Roads in disrepair with pot holes: Chester Road, Delph, Newton, Higher and Grimsditch Lanes. Flooding of Summer/Newton Lanes.
Several road signs in need of attention (cleaning, repair, poorly sited) and some more needed in places. Some inaccurate (height restriction wrong on railway bridge on Keckwick Lane) and some dangerous. Too many signs (eg welcome…)
Speed of traffic on country lanes. Dangerous for horses, cyclists and walkers. Some feel speed bumps ineffective in slowing traffic.
Several lanes used as rat run. Commercial vehicles using Daresbury Lane and other roads as cut-through.
Parking in Chester Rd. School parking problem. Parking can be awkward especially because of visitors to Church, Parish Rooms, pub and car-share/commuting parking. Parking dangerous on Daresbury Lane / Chester Road Junction.
Lack of pavement on Delph, Keckwick and Daresbury Lanes. Sign post in pavement on Chester Road. Kissing gates (footpaths) a problem for prams/pushchairs.
Lighting is patchy. Lack of lighting in Delph and Summer Lanes.
Suggestions
Warning signs for horses.
Speed controls needed on Delph Lane, Keckwick Lane, Newton Lane. Better control needed on Chester Road. Make access only. Open old road to roundabout. Change Chester Road/Daresbury Lane layout. Declassify Daresbury Lane, make into ‘quiet lane’. Anything to reduce speed of motorists; camera, repeater signs.
Use of walking bus for school children, reduce use of cars. Off-road car parking for school staff.
Suggested footpaths/pavements in Delph Lane, top of Keckwick Lane and one from Daresbury to Hatton.
Safe places to cross A56 (Delph Lane, Daresbury Firs and Keckwick Lane) and Chester Road in village. Slow signs or 40mph limit suggested, may also deter ‘boy racers’.
Remodel unsightly speed bumps.
Resident only parking in village with access only.
More lighting in keeping with character of village.
F. Development
F1. Is there a need to develop the following in the parish?
· commerce and/or industry
Yes 3
No 85
N/A 12
· employment opportunities
Yes 7
No 80
N/A 13
· housing
Yes 12
No 79
N/A 9
F2. Would you like to see “affordable housing” in the parish?
Yes 30
No 49
N/A 21
F3. If there were new developments, comment on any impacts they would have on the parish
Not wanted, any further development will spoil the area. This is a beautiful area, home to many rare wild birds and animals which need to be preserved. Ensure that there are no developments which impact negatively on village character. Develop brown field sites first. Development of housing and business will result in higher traffic volumes, infrastructure will be ruined, shops and bigger schools required, greenbelt destroyed, village character will be ruined & become absorbed within business park. Developments will result in increased noise and light pollution. Few developments are reason for living in Daresbury. Village will lose its identity (cf Lymm). No large developments but selected small developments in harmony with the village environment.
F4. Would you like to see the following recreational facilities?
· village hall
Yes 60
No 17
N/A 23
· recreation and sports field
Yes 32
No 35
N/A 33
· education (both youth and adult)
Yes 34
No 31
N/A 35
· play areas
Yes 35
No 30
N/A 35
· footpaths and rural pursuits
Yes 64
No 12
N/A 24
Comments
Existing situation
Most opposed to development of commerce and housing which would spoil the rural nature of village and put pressure on existing services.
Most moved to Daresbury to live in quiet rural area.
Plenty of employment opportunities already in the area eg Daresbury Park.
Development of Parish Rooms generally preferred to new Village Hall.
Problems
Too much commercial and domestic development already.
No infrastructure to support further development.
Suggestions
Must do everything possible to protect greenbelt.
Better use of other existing local industrial estates and/or brown field sites in Runcorn and Widnes.
Some selected small developments only if beneficial to community and in harmony with village character.
Possibly have affordable housing to help young and old stay in village, staff houses at Daresbury Hall suggested.
Parish rooms for LC visitor centre, community activities and promotion of village walks and attributes. Daresbury Firs, Keckwick Hill, canal towpath, Moore and play area at Walton Gardens commended.
G. Community Safety
G1. Have you suffered from any crime in the parish?
Yes 38
No 51
N/A 11
If yes, when did this happen ?
|
|
Numbers |
% |
|
In the last 6 months |
5 |
13 |
|
In the last 2 years |
12 |
31 |
|
In the last 5 years |
8 |
20 |
|
More than 5 years |
14 |
36 |
G2. If you think details will help in gathering information about crime in Daresbury, please give a description below.
House and garage burglary, farm equipment, tools, car theft and damage, caravan damage. Armed robbery. Harassment by Polish Immigrants. Homosexual soliciting in and around Morphany, Summer and Newton Lanes. More frequent police patrols needed throughout the village on a regular basis.
G3. If the crime was reported to the police do you think the response was:
· within an acceptable time
Yes 50
No 22
N/A 28
· thorough
Yes 30
No 28
N/A 42
· sympathetic
Yes 46
No 15
N/A 39
· effective
Yes 13
No 41
N/A 46
Comments
Existing situation
In general only a small amount of crime.
Problems
The police are not effective in dealing with crime in general and are not interested in policing Daresbury.
Largely concerns about homosexual soliciting around Lewis Carroll birthplace and wood. Cars parked in lay-bys at night.
Travellers are causing concern to Daresbury village residents.
Creamfields is causing major concern for many villagers.
Suggestions
Would be reassuring to see a police officer in Daresbury once in a while!
Suggest security or speed cameras by pub.
H. Please describe below any issues or areas of interest that you have that you think have not been covered by the rest of the questionnaire.
Major concerns about Creamfields.
Daresbury largely ignored by Halton BC particularly away from village.
Concerns also about
- travellers
- homosexual soliciting
- maintaining quiet, rural nature of village
- speed bumps (some for, some against, some suggest redesigning) and speeding traffic.
- school parking
- any developments spoiling the character of village
After school club, connected with Daresbury Primary School requested.
A56 isolates Delph Lane residents from village.
Promotion of environmentally sound developments eg green roofs on new buildings.
Walk around Daresbury leaflet good idea.
Support for village community with improved social activities.
Community Heritage/Local History awareness could be promoted more.
Daresbury residents appear to have much more affinity with Warrington than Halton. Warrington services are used more than Halton. Warrington secondary schools have a better reputation than those in Halton.