Relaunching this petition in memory of Lee Stallwood

In 2019, we launched this campaign calling for Hoole Bridge in Chester to be made safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

At the time, candidates and local representatives came to Hoole Bridge, stood with residents, listened to the concerns, and supported the call for action.

Sadly, the safety improvements requested then have still not been delivered.

In the early hours of Thursday, 21st May 2026, cyclist Lee Stallwood was tragically killed on Hoole Bridge following a collision with a motorist who fled the scene.

Lee’s family have asked us to relaunch this petition in his memory, in the hope that his death can leave a lasting legacy that helps protect others.

Their wish is simple: that Lee’s legacy helps prevent another person from losing their life on Hoole Bridge, and prevents another family, group of friends and community from suffering the heartbreak they are now experiencing.

 

Lee’s family have shared this tribute:

“Lee was born on 28/11/1988 and tragically died on Hoole Bridge following a hit and run on 21/05/2026.

Lee was the most caring gentle giant. He absolutely loved winding his family and friends up with his pranks. He would do absolutely anything for anyone.

Lee worked hard for a living, at The Town Crier, then later at Wilkos and Poundland.

Lee was loved by absolutely everyone who met him. His loss is especially tragic for all of us, his family. We are all devastated. Xxxx”

 

Hoole Bridge has been a concern for pedestrians and cyclists for many years. The footpaths are narrow, cyclists have no safe dedicated route, and the volume of traffic makes the bridge feel unsafe for many people who use it every day.

This petition asks for immediate, practical action while a permanent solution is properly investigated, funded and delivered.

We respectfully ask Cheshire West and Chester Council, highways officers, local councillors, MPs, Cheshire Police, Network Rail, Active Travel England, the Department for Transport and all relevant authorities to work together urgently to make Hoole Bridge safer.

We specifically call on Cheshire West and Chester Council, including Councillor Karen Shore as Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, Councillor Louise Gittins as Leader of the Council, Rose McArthur as Director of Transport and Highways, Kathy McArdle as Executive Director for Place and Growth, and the local Newton and Hoole ward councillors Richard Beacham, Adam Langan and Gill Watson, to urgently review, fund and implement safety measures on Hoole Bridge.

We also ask Samantha Dixon MP to support Lee’s family, residents and all bridge users by helping to bring the relevant bodies together and pressing for action.

Immediate steps should include consideration of:

20mph speed limit on Hoole Bridge

clearer road markings and signage

better lighting

traffic calming measures

safer crossing arrangements

improved protection for pedestrians and cyclists

a full review of a long term safe walking and cycling route over the bridge

 

The purpose of this petition is not to blame. It is to protect lives.

Concerns have been raised before. Studies have been discussed before. Promises of support have been made before. Now, following Lee’s tragic death, we are asking for those concerns to be treated with the urgency they deserve.

In 1905, a scheme was agreed to build a footbridge alongside the existing structure. More than 120 years later, residents are still waiting for a safe solution.

In 2009, concerns were again raised about the danger to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. At that time, Hoole Bridge was recorded as carrying more than 21,000 vehicles a day, with nearly 300 cyclists and almost 3,000 pedestrians crossing in a 12 hour period.

The footways were described as not meeting current standards, and there was no separate provision for cyclists.

Yet still, no meaningful improvement followed.

We are asking for this to be the moment that changes.

Please sign and share this petition in memory of Lee Stallwood.

 

Let Lee’s legacy be a safer Hoole Bridge.

 

Petition link:

https://www.change.org/p/cheshire-west-and-chester-council-cwac-make-hoole-bridge-safer-for-pedestrians-cyclists

 

Campaign Team:

Steve Howe, Marko Williams and Adam Dandy

 

ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN 2019:
The problem - The footpaths on either side of Hoole Bridge are not wide enough, if two parents pushing prams meet at any point along the bridge, one of the parents is forced to put their child / children, into the flow of oncoming traffic, in the same way, cyclists using Hoole Bridge take their lives in their own hands, as the pavement is not wide enough for them to share with pedestrians, leaving the roadway as the only route over, thus making themselves a physical obstruction to the heavy flow of traffic, with no room to pass safely, many drivers become impatient as cyclists slow whilst going up hill and often try to squeeze past, risking the cyclists lives, day in day out.

The History - Over the years there have been a number of attempts to improve the narrow, dangerous roadway the Bridge carries. In the 1870s the Hoole Local Board complained about its state and how the railway’s vehicles queuing at its weighbridge impeded the flow of traffic. In 1902 a conference at Chester Town Hall called for it to be widened, “on cattle market days it was impossible for pedestrians”. A scheme was proposed for a carriageway at least 30 feet wide plus 10 feet wide pavements; this was ruled out and in 1905 an amended scheme costing £15,500 was agreed, the costs to be shared between Chester, the County Council, Hoole Urban District and Newton Parish Councils; this would see the construction of a footbridge alongside the existing structure. 112 years later, we are still waiting. 

Source: Article by Ralph Earlam, initially published in ‘Hoole Roundabout’ in February 2017 - http://www.hooleroundabout.com

In 2009 Cllr Byrne argued that due to the danger to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as motorists, County Engineer Steve Kent, who was director of environment at the new council, should carry out a study to see how pedestrians and cyclists could be separated from cars, vans, lorries and buses on the narrow bridge, what this would cost and how long it would take.

Hoole bridge now carries over 21,000 vehicles a day, 87% of which are cars. The remainder of the traffic, involving light and heavy goods vehicles and buses, is said to be "a high percentage" for a route of that type. In 2009 nearly 300 cyclists crossed the bridge in a 12 hour period and almost 3,000 pedestrians. Footways on the bridge are 1.5m wide and "do not meet current standards", according to the then chief bridges engineer John Violet. There is no separate provision for cyclists and for pedestrians there is "just enough width" for two to cross side-by-side. "It is possible for a lorry wing mirror to clip a pedestrian if the lorry is running very close to the kerb". The road itself is too narrow for a cycle to pass at the same time as two cars are passing and many cyclists use the footway instead of the road. The result of this investigation and these admissions, nothing. 

Source: Chester Chronicle 

The Solution - Ultimately we would like the Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) to agree to build two separate footbridges on either side of the existing structure, one of which was promised and agreed in 1905, and turn the current pavements on the bridge itself, into a safe cycleway. This is nothing less than the people of Chester, specifically the residents of Hoole, Newtown, Upton and those living and working in the city centre itself should be afforded, for the safety of themselves and for the protection of their friends and family.

PLEASE SHARE & SIGN THIS PETITION - BEFORE SOMEBODY IS KILLED. 21,000 vehicles a day, 300 cyclists in 12 hours and almost 3,000 pedestrians a day are at risk, every day until positive action is finally taken.

Campaign Team: Steve Howe, Marko Williams and Adam Dandy.