This year the Easter weekend runs from Friday 29 March (Good Friday) to Monday 1 April (Easter Monday).

During this period Network Rail will be carrying out essential upgrades to railway infrastructure which will impact both London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services.

The primary impacts on the West Midlands Trains network are:

• No trains will operate to/from London Euston between March 29-April 1 inclusive
• No trains will operate between Northampton and Milton Keynes on March 30 or March 31 (Easter Sunday)
• No trains will operate between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey (Abbey Line) between March 29-April 1 inclusive
• No trains will operate between Lichfield Trent Valley and Birmingham New Street (Cross City Line) between April 2-April 5 inclusive

Rail replacement transport will be in operation on all affected dates. Customers travelling to London Euston are advised to travel either side of the Easter weekend, or use alternative routes.

More information on these works and travel advice for customers is available on the following dedicated web pages:

London Northwestern Railway: www.lnr.uk/easter

West Midlands Railway: www.wmr.uk/easter

Kind Regards,

West Midlands Trains – Stakeholders Team

stakeholders@wmtrains.co.uk

Please find attached link to a temporary road closure notice for Cliff Road, Acton Bridge which commences on 25th February 2024. This is necessary for safety reasons to enable utility works, works to be carried out by Cadent. 

Click to access 5-day-notice_137570421_3691564_5156a88329.pdf

Should you require any further information regarding this closure, please contact Steven Bentley on 0300 123 7036.

Regards

Technical Support Team

Transport and Highways Service

Winsford & Northwich Highways Office

Tel: 0300 123 7036

Email: highways@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Location: Phoenix House, Clough Road, Winsford, CW7 4BD

Visit: Cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

A consultation on the future for wildlife in Cheshire has just launched.  For details, please visit:

Working together for a Wilder Cheshire and Warrington | Cheshire West and Chester Council

In summary the Local Nature Recovery Strategy is intended to provide a blueprint to help wildlife thrive, improve our ecological network, but also target where investment in nature could help us adapt to climate change or improve the quality of the local environment, for people and the economy.

As many views as possible are sought about what matters and what a Local Nature Strategy of Cheshire and Warrington needs to achieve to help nature. 

We would be very grateful if you could help us by promoting this opportunity so people in your Town/Parish can have their say.  There’s an opportunity for individuals and organisations to also pledge action they are prepared to take, so we have a full picture of action being taken by everyone, so not limited to landowners, Local Authorities or NGOs like Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

We are also asking landowners to put areas forward where they could be interested in attracting investment in helping nature to recover, through a call for sites. We can then put them in touch with organisations that can help them access government related grants or for support to develop biodiversity units (that could be sold to developers, when they need to invest in local opportunities to improve nature as part of Biodiversity Net Gain – the extra 10% that needs to be delivered for nature as part of major planning applications from 12^th Feb and scheduled for minor applications from the start of April).

After this consultation there will be rounds of online and in person workshops across Cheshire and Warrington to confirm the priorities, targets and agree ways we can work together, across the Local Nature Partnership, with other organisations, landowners and individuals to support nature’s recovery over the next 10 years (with known pressures and future opportunities in mind). Details on this will follow when available.

If you have any questions, please email: naturesrecovery@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

What is happening?

The Council is currently consulting on the future of Libraries and Museums Services in Cheshire West and Chester. A number of principles and proposals are being put forward about how the services are managed and when they open.

This includes proposals about changes to library opening hours which could affect the library at Hope Farm.

When is the consultation?

5 Feb to 2 April

How can I share my views?

The Council wants to understand the views of service users, residents, and stakeholders on the principles and proposals for the libraries and museums services. What you tell us will be used to help shape future plans.

You can find out more and review the consultation documents and complete a survey on our website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/librariesandmuseums

A Home Upgrade Grant scheme, to improve the energy efficiency of homes not heated by mains gas, is open for applications from West Cheshire residents now.  

This grant offers a range of energy efficiency measures including, for example, insulation and heating system upgrades, all of which will help lower energy bills.

Grants are available for those with a lower annual combined household income of £31,000 (gross) or less, and/or receiving specific benefits, and living in an ‘off-gas’ property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating from Band D to G.

Applications can be made online at: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/homeenergyhelp or by post. To request a paper copy please call Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Contact Centre on 0300 123 8 123 and ask for a Home Upgrade Grant application form from the Climate Change Team.

Please note as part of the application process evidence of a household’s combined annual income is required. This will include, for example, copies of a resident’s last three months’ pay slips, three months’ bank statements, benefit letters, pension statements etc. More information about this grant can be found on the web link above.

Level Entry 3 Health and Wellbeing – Northwich Work Zone 19th – 22nd March 24

For enquiries or to book a place call us on 07833 236675 or email workzonenorthwich@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

This course:

• The participant of the course will enable the learner in understanding the importance of a balanced diet for a healthier lifestyle.
• You will understand how activity improves the emotional and mental wellbeing.
•  You will look at building on own self-esteem and confidence and working towards setting short term goals by identifying and following an agreed plan.