Frodsham’s biggest ever survey of public opinion

FRODSHAM Town Council has released the results of its major, town-wide consultation exercise carried out earlier this year.
More than 4,000 consultation forms were distributed across the town and more than 30 per cent were completed and returned to the council – probably making it the largest measure of public opinion in the town gathered in recent times.
Members of the council described it as a “fantastic” response rate. Many of the findings were predictable – others less so. But they will form an invaluable resource for the council as it works towards formulating a strategy for the future of Frodsham.
The consultation was launched in the wake of the controversy over the proposed sale of the Park Lane play area – and the results show that a majority of those responding – 63 per cent – supported the sale. An even larger majority – 71 per cent – would support the sale of the closed Ship Street play area. The same number support the sale of unused or surplus council land.
A significant 81 per cent supported improving play areas – but 72 per cent were opposed to increasing council tax to pay for the improvements. A massive 96 per were in favour of protecting the green belt around Frodsham.
The popularity of the annual Christmas Festival was underlined with 93 per cent of respondents wanting it to continue. But opinions differed as to how it should be paid for with 73 per cent believing retailers who benefit from it should make up any funding shortfall and only 38 per cent thinking it should be funded through council tax. Sixty two per cent said they attended last year’s festival.
Only 26 per cent said they used the Frodsham Foundation Facebook page and only three per cent ever use the Frodsham Foundation e-newsletter or website to look for a job.
But the Foundation’s initiative to preserve The Goods Shed was supported by 58 per cent – and 80 per cent said they would like to see it renovated for public use.
A massive 96 per cent think it essential for Frodsham to have a waste recycling facility, and 73 per cent were happy with the existing one by Frodsham railway station. A total of 72 per cent would not travel up to three miles to go to a recycling centre.
Currently, Frodsham is expected to have 250 new houses built by 2030 and almost half the respondents – 48 per cent – thought this was too many. Eight per cent thought it too few and 44 per cent though the figure about right.
Most respondents favoured a home-owning community. Affordable housing for first time buyers and older people wishing to downsize were favoured by 79 per cent and 61 per cent supported new houses at market prices. Private sector rented homes were opposed by 77 per cent and social housing for rent was opposed by 57 per cent.
A majority of respondents showed concern over speeding traffic. Sixty per cent supported a 40mph limit on the A56 between Castle Park and Helsby High School and 53 per cent supported a 20mph limit on residential roads. Permanent enforcement of the speed limit on Fluin Lane was supported by 62 per cent and on Bridge Lane by 55 per cent.
Parking was also an issue. Sixty three per cent of respondents would like the Town Council to buy land near the town centre for parking and 52 per cent opposed time restrictions on free parking. A total of 42 per cent thought parking should be left as it is now.
Residents’ parking schemes – with residents having to pay an annual fee – were opposed by 75 per cent. According to 67 per cent of respondents, business people should voluntarily park away from Main Street to leave it free for shoppers and 67 per cent think residents should park off road where possible.