Samantha Dixon MP Holds Residents’ Surgery in Upton Dene to Tackle Longstanding Estate Issues

Local residents in Upton Dene had the chance to speak up about issues affecting their daily lives at a community surgery hosted by Samantha Dixon, MP for Chester North and Neston, recently.

Samantha Dixon was joined by local Labour Upton Councillor Sherin Akhtar.

The session provided a much-needed opportunity for residents to share their frustrations and seek answers on problems that have persisted across the estate.

At the heart of the discussion were ongoing concerns about the management and upkeep of the estate by the management company responsible for maintaining shared spaces. Many residents raised issues around poor communication, inconsistent standards, and a general lack of accountability.

Another major concern was the failure of developers to complete vital works on roads, kerbing, and drainage. These outstanding issues have meant that neither the local council nor Welsh Water can adopt the roads—leaving residents stuck with unfinished infrastructure and no clear timeline for resolution.

Residents also highlighted growing worries about parking on the estate . With parked cars reducing visibility and narrowing access, many spoke of increasing road safety risks for both drivers and pedestrians.

Speaking after the event, Samantha said:

“It was really valuable to meet residents and hear directly about what they’re going through. These issues are not new—they’ve been dragging on for far too long. What’s needed now is action. I’ll be working closely with Sherin, the council, and relevant agencies to make sure these concerns are taken seriously and solutions are found.”

Councillor Sherin Akhtar added:

“Residents had a number of ongoing and historical issues that remained unresolved for too long. They were becoming increasingly frustrated, and an intervention was needed quickly. 

“I noticed key themes in the correspondence that was being sent to me and having tried to get answers, I hit a brick wall. 

“I then spoke to our Member of Parliament, Sam Dixon for advice and that's how the suggestion of a housing surgery for Upton Dene residents came about.

“It was a very successful meeting where, I hope all residents felt heard and listened to. Together we look forward to finally getting them help that these residents need.”

The meeting marks a renewed effort to bring all stakeholders together and address these long-standing problems with a proactive and collaborative approach.

Both the Samantha Dixon MP and Cllr Sherin Akhtar reaffirmed their commitment to supporting residents in holding developers and management companies accountable, and to working toward long-term solutions that prioritise safety, transparency, and community wellbeing.

Pictured - Samantha Dixon at the Upton Dene meeting.