When Preston residents became concerned about proposals affecting Nuns Walk, they asked Graham Stuart to come and see the route for himself. After walking it with local people and hearing their concerns first-hand, Graham has taken their views directly to Cranswick and secured face-to-face meetings between the company and residents.
Walking the route with those who use it regularly, Graham heard why so many people believe Nuns Walk should remain as it is.
Residents told Graham they understand the importance of safety and accept that a suitable crossing point is needed. But they were equally clear that they do not want walkers redirected onto a busy pavement alongside traffic and industrial vehicles.
They described Nuns Walk as one of the few remaining peaceful parts of the village, somewhere families, walkers and dog owners can enjoy away from busy roads. For many, it forms part of Preston’s history, linking generations of local people with All Saints Church and providing a quiet route they hope future generations will still be able to enjoy.
The conversations also reflected wider concerns about how Preston has changed over the years. Residents spoke about increasing industrial development, growing traffic and a fear that another part of the village’s heritage could now be lost.
The strength of local feeling is clear. Graham’s survey received 170 responses, with almost every one coming from Preston and the surrounding Holderness villages. More than 40 residents have already submitted formal objections to the Department for Transport.
After listening to residents and seeing the route for himself, Graham took their concerns directly to Cranswick. He challenged the company to consider whether every practical alternative had been explored before changing such an important village route.
Cranswick told Graham the proposal is driven by safety and security concerns. The company said around 65 heavy goods vehicles use the entrance each day, alongside around 900 staff movements during shift changes, and believes the current crossing creates risks because pedestrians can be hidden by waiting vehicles near the site’s security entrance.
Following Graham’s intervention, Cranswick agreed to invite residents to small-group site visits. Residents will be able to walk both the existing and proposed routes with the company, hear its concerns, ask questions and put forward their own ideas before any decision is made.
Anyone who would like to take up Cranswick’s offer of a site visit should contact Graham by emailing [email protected]. Graham will pass their details to the company so a visit can be arranged.
Graham said:
“When local people contacted me about Nuns Walk, I wanted to come and see it for myself rather than simply read about it in planning papers.
“Walking the route with residents told me far more than any documents could. People weren’t just showing me a footpath. They were showing me part of Preston’s history, somewhere families walk together, somewhere that offers a peaceful escape from busy roads, and somewhere they want future generations to enjoy too.
“Residents have been very clear with me. They understand that safety matters and want the right measures in place. But they also want every possible alternative explored before such an important part of village life is changed.
“This is the approach I’ve always taken as the local MP. When local people raise concerns, I go and see things for myself, I listen and then I act. That’s how we’ve brought Northern Powergrid engineers to Leconfield to answer residents’ questions after repeated power cuts, persuaded LINK to think again over Hedon’s Banking Hub, and worked with communities across Beverley and Holderness on the issues that matter to them.
“That’s exactly what I’ve done here. I took residents’ views directly to Cranswick and secured an agreement for the company to meet local people on site so they can ask questions, challenge the proposals and put forward their own ideas. I’ll continue working to make sure residents’ voices are heard throughout this process.”
