Trentham residents wait on sewage works' access road

“What is this thrashing that you speak of stokepotter? As I recall, you wouldn't answer an amazingly simple question in our last 'debate', and as such you completely undermined your entire argument and exposed your tirade as nothing more than an appalling case of sour grapes; much as you are doing right now in fact.

And I have to laugh when you speak of 'envy' stokepotter. Having made a little more than just 'something' of my own life, I am in the incredibly privileged position of being envious of very few people. However, with your continuous grunts of annoyance whenever money is spent in an area that isn't Trentham (or Lightwood), you are clearly showing that the 'green eyed monster' is a constant and inextricable companion of yours.

So, is there any chance at all of you changing the record stokepotter? Who knows, listening to a different tune might just provide you with a less covetous outlook on life?

Oh, and just for the record, that's now 2-0 to the Tut. Easy-peasy.”

“Kingtutyou are back again! I thought you had given up your boring banal comments after your last written thrashing at my hands, and gone back to your lavishly appointed tomb. Ah well, one can only hope this time instead of deviating from the point of the article being debated, your comments will be more constructive than your previous poor attempts at humour. Your envy of those who aspire to make something of their lives by working hard and getting the just rewards for their endeavours are in itself transparent.”

“I haven't visited this site for a few weeks, but when I do return, one of the first things that I see is stokepotter championing Trentham… again.

Your quote;

"You are right her about the areas being different as chalk and cheese when you look at unemployment levels (whatever that has got to do with the subject). Does'nt it tell you about attitudes in thse areas. Despite the many millions that have been (and continue to be) poured into these areas you are comparing to Trentham, they seem to lack the desire, or need to find work as they (some not all) are quite happy to live off the state."

Would you be so kind as to do us all a favour old chap; change the record please. Your opinions regarding Trentham are as tiresome as they are transparent.

That being said, I would agree with your assertion that Barlaston Old Road is not in any way suitable for regular use by HGV's. But of course, anyone who was suitably annoyed with this on-going situation could always sell up, down-size, and relocate. In fact there is some new build on Dividy Road at the moment, and I'm sure the existing locals on Bentilee would be more than happy to welcome an influx of aspirational people from the Trentham area.

Any takers?”

“Sensisteve. quote..."Sorry stokepotter but you're a little off the mark ... while your right about Trentham not being the area it once was ... think it was the labour party that let the riff-raff in .... unemployment (jobseekers rate) in Trentham is about 1.5% compared with 5% across the City (7.5% in Bentilee, Abbey, Chell and others) ... the areas are as different as chalk and cheese.

You are right her about the areas being different as chalk and cheese when you look at unemployment levels (whatever that has got to do with the subject). Does'nt it tell you about attitudes in thse areas. Despite the many millions that have been (and continue to be) poured into these areas you are comparing to Trentham, they seem to lack the desire, or need to find work as they (some not all) are quite happy to live off the state. The difference in Trentham is an area where most people have homes where they are owner occupiers with big mortgages so if they do not work, they lose their homes or the homes are privately rented - so again no rent, no home. State handouts will not cover the cost of the mortgage or private rent there (I know this from a close relative). Different to the areas you use as your example. No need for me to write more.”

“Notanumber.You obviously do not know Barlaston Old Road.Try travelling down it as the heavy lorries pound along; see how difficult it is for two lorries to pass each other; see how difficult it is for a car or bus to pass these lorries. It is nothing to do with wanting a road becuase of the nice houses along the road, it is to do with the road being unsuitable for the volume and size of this traffic along what is in fact a country road. Severn Trent makes sufficient profits to build this service road not just for the years they expect to be expanding the site in its current form, but also for the futuree when its lorries will havce increased in number and the danger, congestion, and damage to this unsuitable road will continue.”

“I'm at a loss to see what's the issue with the Barlaston Old Road. It doesn't appear to be narrow!

http://tinyurl.com/axz44bs

Is it possible that the upgrades at the sewage with its' increased traffic is being used as an excuse to have this road built? Just to take traffic into the site and not past some very expensive looking property that was built way later than the sewage works?”

“by stokepotter (to Backdoored) -"Trentham has its share of out of work people,families on benefit, one parent families, families that are on minimum wage, houses which are much smaller than comparable council houses, one bedroom flats. I.e. the same as other parts of Stoke-on-Trent. Get your facts right before you write such nonsense." -unquote.

by senseisteve -
"Sorry stokepotter but you're a little off the mark ... while your right about Trentham not being the area it once was ... think it was the labour party that let the riff-raff in .... unemployment (jobseekers rate) in Trentham is about 1.5% compared with 5% across the City (7.5% in Bentilee, Abbey, Chell and others) ... the areas are as different as chalk and cheese".

Whose talking nonsense now potter lad?

Seriously though folks.... 'sensitivities' to one side for the moment -I was surprised that potter had 'bitten the bait' so readily. Why? Because with a pseudonym like 'stokepotter', I should have though he at least had a 'handle' on the Stoke 'street-level' Culture -in the important area of 'banterese'...
It has long been established at street/pub level, that certain areas of the Potteries/North Staffordshire -'place-names' -are used to represent the differnt stratas of its mixed society, and as such 'wheeled-out' whenever a point is being made -with humour.

It's all 'tongue in cheek' ....As an old hand at Taxi-Driving for many many years inthe 60s, 70s and 80s -I was in a position to learn and love all the 'titles' allocated at street level to our 'rich mix' of area.
Here's a few, some of which will be familiar to you -others will know them all. 1. the 'Ponderrosa' (Bentilee) 2. 'Scabby Abbey' (Hulton); 3. 'Tin-Town' (Chell Heath -on account of the number of Council Houses built using steel-frames); 4. 'Snobsville' -(the Westlands); 5. 'the maze' (Northwood/Birches Head)..... and, well, 'Trentham' was just Trentham -spoke for itself... 'old money' -established -posh. ('they live at Trentham now you know').

As pointed out -that's all changed in recent decades and there's a 'blurring if the imges' -But not to the extent, 'by a long chalk' (as someone said) -that Trentham could be confused with the 'Ponderosa' -or 'Scabby Abbey' -..excluding one very posh person who may be confused -one John van de Larschott -I think he refers his previous place of abode as 'Scabby Trentham'.

And just in case you think I'm going over the top with this one... It was pointed out on the BBC just last night, that the POVERTY GAP in Britain is now wider than it was in Charles Dickens time.
A sobering thought -And far more concerning than being called a 'Trentham Toff'.”

“by senseisteve.... quote: -"is not that simple .... with the site being located in Stoke-on-Trent but any access road would pass over the River Trent into Stafford Borough before joining-up with the A34 ..." -Unquote.

I think you will find that it's even 'less simple' than you suggest steve. The border between Staffordshire and S-o-T is very close to the Sewage works, ..and.... the land immediately to the north of Strongford Bridge (where the Trent/Border passes under) is in fact, within the city.
Strongford Farm, situated right on the A34 just to the north of Strongford Br and on the eastern side of the A34 -has a 'track' -marked on the map as wide enough/used as a cart-track (not just footpath is what I am saying) -which leads in a north-easterly direction and comes out onto Barlaston Old Road, right opposite the junction with Jonathan Rd.

No Stafforshire land involved -unless, that is -there's an argument of 'land suitablility'.... or...
Maybe the Farmer's holding out for more money?”

“Sensisteve. My first comment on this item was directed at Backdoored and his stupid comment regarding the people of Trentham as 'toffs'. I merely pointed out that Trentham had its fair share of people on low income or out of work and homes that were not mansions like other parts of this City. When you mention for example Bentilee, it was once reputed to be the biggest Council estate in Europe so its size dwarfs the area affected by the impact that this has on the extension to this sewage works. But as you point out, this is not the point that is being made.

The point is that Barlaston Old Road is unsuitable for the number of heavy lorries that are thundering down it each day. Many parts of it are not supported at the edges so the road is sinking and breaking up. I went down there today and you can see in many places the tyre marks of heavy goods vehicles that have overshot the sides of the road and are on the verges. The road is not wide enough for these vehicles to pass cars, other lorries and buses safely. It is an accident waiting to happen. Again, as I mentioned in my last contribution to this subject, the exit from Barlaston Old Road onto the Trentham Longton road is very poor for most of the day so there is considerable congestion.

I was given to understand too (rightly or wrongly) that Severn Trent now owns the land around the works. Therefore they should be able to build an access road from the A34. If I have been told wrong, and they do not own the land then they should not have been given permission to extend the works until a suitable access route had been provided. Using Barlaston Old Road is not the answer.”

“Sorry stokepotter but you're a little off the mark ... while your right about Trentham not being the area it once was ... think it was the labour party that let the riff-raff in .... unemployment (jobseekers rate) in Trentham is about 1.5% compared with 5% across the City (7.5% in Bentilee, Abbey, Chell and others) ... the areas are as different as chalk and cheese.

The issue of access roads .. the real story here ... is not that simple .... with the site being located in Stoke-on-Trent but any access road would pass over the River Trent into Stafford Borough before joining-up with the A34 ... subject to the purchase of land ... flood risk assessments etc ... expensive and drawn-out - i can hear the solicitors counting the cash as we speak.”