We are calling on Cheshire East Council to reconsider its decision to close Church Hill in Knutsford for five months, from 1st November to 31st March, due to the potential risk of icy conditions.

Church Hill and King Street are at the heart of Knutsford’s vibrant town centre, home to independent shops, cafés, restaurants and small businesses that make our town so special.

The decision to close Church Hill for almost half the year could have devastating consequences for these businesses, many of which already face rising costs and the challenges of keeping their doors open.

Why does this matter?

The prospect of closing such an important route for five months is deeply concerning, not only for local businesses that depend on reliable access for deliveries, stock and essential supplies, but also for residents commuting to work, parents taking their children to school, and the wider community. With Knutsford already experiencing significant congestion due to its one-way road system, this closure risks exacerbating traffic problems, causing further disruption to daily life and placing unnecessary pressure on both local businesses and residents.

This decision could:

Damage local businesses by reducing passing trade, visibility and accessibility.
Discourage visitors from coming into Knutsford and supporting our town centre.
Put additional financial pressure on independent businesses already facing difficult trading conditions.
Affect the wider community, including residents, customers and other businesses that rely on easy access through the town.
Set a worrying precedent, with a supposedly temporary trial potentially becoming a permanent annual closure.

Numerous local business owners have raised concerns and opposed this decision, yet we feel that our voices have been ignored.

We fully recognise the importance of public safety, especially during icy winter conditions. However, we believe there must be a more proportionate and practical solution that protects pedestrians without unnecessarily damaging the businesses that are so important to Knutsford.

Surely alternative safety measures should be properly explored before closing a key route through our town for five months?

What are we asking for?

We are calling on Cheshire East Council to:

Reconsider and suspend the planned five-month closure of Church Hill.
Consult meaningfully with local businesses, residents and the wider community before proceeding.
Explore alternative winter safety measures, such as improved gritting, monitoring and temporary closures during genuinely dangerous weather.
Assess and publish the potential economic impact on businesses along Church Hill, King Street and the wider town centre.
Provide assurances that this temporary trial will not become permanent without proper consultation and a transparent review.
Help us protect the future of Knutsford!

Knutsford is a town built on its independent businesses, its character and its community spirit.

We are not asking for safety to be compromised. We are simply asking for our livelihoods, our concerns and the future of our town to be taken seriously.

Please sign this petition to urge Cheshire East Council to reconsider the closure of Church Hill.

Whether you are a resident, business owner, employee or someone who simply loves visiting Knutsford, your support matters.

Sign, share and help us keep Knutsford thriving.

Let’s protect our town before it’s too late.