VOTERS in Crewe West will be going to the polls on Thursday, May 6.

The seat has been vacant after the death of Labour councillor Brian Roberts last February.

Polling was postponed in May last year, but earlier this year the government gave the go-ahead for local elections to take place under Covid guidelines.

As well as the by-election for the Cheshire East Council seat in Crewe West there will be elections to fill Mr Roberts' position on Crewe Town Council and three seats on Haslington Parish Council.

Because of Covid none of the candidates has been canvassing directly, although their parties have been leafletting homes.

The four local politicians vying for the Cheshire East Council seat are Connor Naismith (Labour), Brian Silvester (Putting Crewe First), Teja Vaddala (Conservative) and Roy Cartlidge (Independent).

Here each of the candidates outline their manifesto pledges and what they want to achieve for Crewe West.

Connor Naismith (Labour)

The Labour candidate says regeneration of Flag Lane Baths is among his priorities.

Connor says he wants to give residents a voice in the town centre's regeneration plans.

He is also backing "fairer parking" for Crewe, wants to keep communities safe and tackle flytipping.

He says: "I am standing for election this May asking residents to judge me by what I do and not just what I say.

"That's why I have spent my time in the previous months (when not in lockdown) getting out reporting roads and flytipping issues as well as meeting with key local groups and organisations to see how I can work with them as a candidate and hopefully as a councillor to improve the place where residents live and work.

"I hope residents feel able to lend me their vote this May."

Teja Vaddala (Conservative)

Conservative candidate Teja talks about change for Crewe, saying: "It's time to give somebody else a chance to be a champion for Crewe."

He says: "As a Crewe resident I want to see things improve for our town. I know many people have voted for Labour in Crewe for a long time. Labour have represented Crewe for decades, but I think we need change and to give other people a chance to actually deliver results for people living in Crewe.

"Many people voted for a Conservative MP and a Conservative government for the first time at the last election. I think we have delivered. We got Brexit done. We are steering the country through the coronavirus crisis and delivering one of the best the vaccine programmes in the world.

"At the same time we are delivering on promises on extra police officers, reforming immigration and putting the worst criminals behind bars for longer.

"I think we can deliver for Crewe locally as well. I will concentrate on the day to day things that

matter like pot holes, fly tipping, car parking charges, anti-social behaviour and dog mess. Labour have raised our council tax by the maximum allowed - 4.99% for year 2021-2022. We need to see something for that."

Brian Silvester (Putting Crewe First)

Brian says he wants to see town centre car parking charges cut in half.

He says among the priorities of his party, Putting Crewe First, are: "no real" council tax increases and eliminate waste; reviving Crewe town centre; cutting parking charges in half; and restricting future planning permissions for retail outside the town centre.

Mr Silvester adds: "We will seek to ensure that every Crewe child attends a school classed as good by Ofsted.

"We would encourage businesses to set up in Crewe to provide much needed well-paid jobs; restore the very many damaged grass verges or turn them into hard standing to provide more off street parking, maintain our streets and footpaths and ensure potholes are repaired speedily; eliminate the 'grot spots' and eyesores and ensure Crewe residents are given priority in the allocation of rented social housing."

Roy Cartlidge (Independent)

Roy who is standing as an Independent candidate lists environmental concerns among his pledges.

He says: "As someone who lives in the Crewe West ward, my campaign will be fought on what l believe are important local issues.

"For example, my pledge to local, residents will be that one of the first things l will initiate if elected, is a ward assessment of its assets and a list of improvements which will enhance the area.

"I would endeavour to ensure that the town is clean, tidy, and fit for purpose through better street scene care services.

"I would also strive to ensure that the streets in both the ward and the town itself are safe places for everyone, regardless of gender, creed, or nationality.

"Finally, if elected l will bring to the Cheshire East Borough Council issues that need addressing without the involvement of party politics, for l am a true Independent who will always put the electorate first.

"A vote for me will ensure that the voice of the community will be listened to, not just when it serves a political agenda."

• Crewe West includes an area which stretches from Victoria Avenue/Wistaston Road down to Dane Bank Avenue, incorporating streets and roads around Cheshire College South and West and St. Thomas More High School, such as Gainsborough Road, Stewart Street and parts of Valley Road, Kinsgway and Somerville Street.