17th December 2025
Romiley Gazette – Community Report
Questions Raised Over Woodland Loss and Neighbourhood Road Works
Residents in Romiley have raised fresh concerns about the loss of a protected stretch of woodland and a separate set of neighbourhood road works, asking whether local decision‑making is serving the wider community.
Images shared by local residents show a marked change at a site which is a protected woodland corridor, with dense greenery replaced by cleared ground and damaged pavement areas. Campaigners say they first raised alarms more than 16 months ago, yet claim they have received no substantive response from either the local Liberal Democrat administration or the area’s Member of Parliament.
One resident told the Gazette: “This was a valued green space and an important wildlife buffer. We have been asking basic questions for over a year – who authorised the works, what assessments were done, and how this complies with protections that were supposed to be in place.”
Alongside the woodland issue, attention has also focused on a nearby pedestrian area that has recently been tarmacked. Critics argue that the work primarily benefits neighbouring properties of Councillor Angela Clark, and that a far simpler and cheaper solution – replacing a missing post to prevent rat‑running – would have been more effective. There is still no post and the tarmaced surface makes rat-running by cars more likely
Councillor Angela Clark has been linked by residents to the decision to proceed with the tarmacing. Those raising concerns are asking how much the works have cost the public purse and whether value for money was properly considered.
“This feels like another example of pork‑barrel politics,” said one local campaigner. “At a time when councils are under extreme financial pressure, residents deserve to know why public money is being spent this way, and whether it was really necessary.” The decision was discussed under highways business connected to the Werneth Area Committee of Stockport Council, raising questions about how priorities are being set at a neighbourhood level.
Community members have called for transparency over both matters, including a breakdown of costs, the decision‑making process, but no response has been received.
Several residents have also questioned the lack of engagement from elected representatives. “If our representatives don’t want to stand up for local people as a whole, rather than a select few neighbours, then they should consider whether they are the right people for the job,” another resident said.
The Romiley Gazette contacted Councillor Angela Clark, the local Liberal Democrat group, and the area’s MP for comment prior to publication. At the time of going to press, no responses had been received. Space will be made available for any replies or clarifications.
