A petition to improve accessibility on Bramley Close in Bramhall was presented to Stockport Council on 1 October after concerns were raised about the size and quality of its singular narrow footpath.

The sharp bending lane is the only exit for people accessing Bramhall Library, Bramhall Health Centre or Bramhall train station by car and is also used by children walking to Bramhall High School from the Little Australia estate and people walking to the health centre.

Mr Burgess, who has lived on Bramley Close for 50 years, set up the petition to increase accessibility on Change.org in July, alongside his friend and neighbour Professor Brian O'Connor.

The 88-year-old said: "My kitchen faces straight onto Bramley Close, and I see little kids nearly get killed every other day, because you've got a blind corner, then you've got a double bend […] and everybody walks in the road because the pavement is a mess."

His petition also aims to draw attention to the lack of rest stops and benches for elderly people on their way from Bramhall village to the health centre.

Bramley Close (Image - Serena Murphy)

Mr Burgess has been campaigning for Stockport Council to make improvements for several years now.

The Council approved a £4,000 feasibility study on the area last October, but it resulted in no action due to lack of funding and concerns over accessibility for mobile breast cancer screening units which have to use the one-way exit from the health centre through Bramley Close.

But Mr Burgess and his neighbours believe it did not fully understand their aims.

Mr Burgess hopes his latest petition, which was presented to Stockport Council on Tuesday 1st October by Conservative councillor-candidate Peter Crossen, will lead to change.

He said: "We are trying to get an improvement in the care of pedestrians, whether that be young children, mums with prams, elderly people pushing wheelchairs, or those like me on a mobility scooter."

Bramley Close, with the health centre in the background (Image - Serena Murphy)

Peter Crossen, who hopes to become the Conservative candidate for the Bramhall South and Woodford Ward in the upcoming October by-election, has also been vocal in his support for the petition.

He hopes that, after presenting Mr Burgess's petition to Stockport Council, the feasibility study will be re-implemented.

Mr Crossen also aims for measures such as red road markings to be implemented in the hopes of indicating the sharp bend.

He said: "The most important thing is making sure it is clear to drivers that there is a blind bend and also making sure that there is a footpath for people to pass each other without having to put themselves in danger."

Councillor Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services at Stockport Council, said: "It's really important to hear from our residents and following conversations with Mr Burgess and the Friends of Bramley Close group, we will continue to discuss the improvements they would like to see regarding accessing Bramhall Health Centre.

"Our team has completed a study following these discussions, and we're talking to the residents about what can be achieved with the funds we have available.

"We've received the petition that was presented to Full Council on Tuesday evening and we will be replying shortly."

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