Cheshire East Highways June Newsletter

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Weed Spraying in Cheshire East 

Did you know we have an annual programme of weed spraying which takes place over approximately 9 weeks, covering all public roads, footways and paved areas? The programme began in mid-June in the south of the borough and will move northwards with each road receiving one treatment. 

We have a legal duty to control certain harmful and invasive weeds on the highway. We treat invasive weeds where there is a risk to highway users, adjacent landowners or livestock. 

The treatment is only effective in dry weather, so rain and wet conditions may cause delays to the spraying programme and change the location we treat. We treat most weeds during our spraying programme and we strim around any street furniture affected.

Invasive weeds we treat as part of the programme include: 

Japanese Knotweed Ragwort Giant Hogweed Broad Leaf Curled Dock Creeping Thistle

You can report any sightings of invasive weeds here:

Surface dressing starts soon!

Our surface dressing road repair treatment programme starts in July through to August. Surface dressing is a preventative treatment that adds a new layer on top of an existing road surface to help prevent the ingress of water, which is the main cause of potholes, and therefore helps to maintain the lifespan of a road. 

The surface dressing process requires a number of visits and there are various preparation works that happen ahead of applying the treatment. Once we carry out the surface dressing treatment, we return to sweep up the excess chippings and reinstate the road markings.

You can find further information on surface dressing and a list of the roads that are due to be treated in the coming months here.

Surface dressing treatments can only take place when the road temperature is mild and dry. When it rain falls the work has to stop, so we may have to change the dates or work on other sites. Letters will be sent to residents and businesses on the roads that we will be treating. Signs will also be on display nearby to inform of the road closures providing dates and times of the work.

Nantwich Road Traffic Signals Upgrade

In July we will be upgrading the traffic signals on Nantwich Road, Crewe and the surrounding junctions including South Street, Mill Street, Gresty Road and Edleston Road. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and have carefully planned the works to take place during the summer holidays to minimise delays.

Commencing on 31 July 2023, the works will take approximately five weeks to complete as detailed below:

More information on the upcoming scheme can be found here:

Promoting road safety education

Whilst undertaking improvement works on the existing pedestrian and cyclist environment on B5470 Hurdsfield Road and Black Lane, in Macclesfield, our team spotted an opportunity to recycle the old traffic signal equipment and use it to promote road safety at a local nursery! 

Neil Farley, our Construction Team Leader, approached Beech Hall nursery with the offer of two traffic pedestrian push buttons and the chance to have a zebra crossing installed in the play area of the school. 

The push buttons will help teach the young children how to cross a road safely, by showing them how to stop and wait at a pedestrian crossing until the lights say otherwise. The zebra crossing will make the children aware of the different types of crossings across the country, helping educate the children on road safety. 

A huge thank you to our supply chain partners, and our Site Supervisor Daniel Brierly for their great collaboration.

Public Satisfaction Survey

5,000 NHT public satisfaction surveys will be sent out between 12 June - 26 July 2023 to a random selection of households within Cheshire East. The independent survey run by Ipsos Mori will collect opinions on and satisfaction with the Highway and Transport Services in our area. The survey will be open until the 25 August. The unique code on the survey allows for a one time online completion only - there are no additional codes and it will not work for other household members or friends or family - As the basis of the survey relies on random selection, no one can request a copy of the survey.

Works update

B5470 Hurdsfield Road/Black Lane, Macclesfield improvements near completion 

Over the past 12 weeks, we have been working to enhance the existing pedestrian and cyclist environment at the junction of B5470 Hurdsfield Road and Black Lane in Macclesfield.

The enhancements involved widening of the footways for cyclists and pedestrians on Black Lane and the realignment of the carriageway on Hurdsfield Road, we have also enhanced the crossings on both roads, refreshed the road markings, undertaken drainage works and made signage improvements.

Black Lane, in Macclesfield, is a popular route for cyclists and the improvements will offer much-improved access from Macclesfield to one of the borough’s outstanding countryside amenities - Middlewood Way.

The interruption to the completion of the entire scheme has become unavoidable, while the planned crossing point at the exit from the Tesco store is refined to meet the landowner’s requirements. The dates for this work will be shared when available.

Thank you to everyone for their patience whilst these works are taking place.

Flag Lane, Crewe Link Road 

We started work to deliver the ‘Flag Lane Link’ improvements on 15 May.  

The improvement works are part of the plans to improve access to the town centre and also reduce congestion and journey times in and out of Crewe by linking Dunwoody Way to Delamere Street via Flag Lane. Taking 14 weeks to complete, the works will include the installation of a new junction at the end of Harrison Drive.

A full road closure is in place between Bridle Road and Richard Moon Street including the junction of Flag Lane to Harrison Drive and St Mary’s Street, whilst the works take place.

For more information, click below:

Rode Mill Culvert Replacement 

As part of our continual routine inspections, general maintenance and improvement works have been identified on Rode Mill culvert, at Church Lane, Scholar Green.  W Works to provide a new culverted watercourse will take approximately 16 weeks to complete and commenced on 9 May 2023. Church Lane between the junction of Chance Hall Lane and Congleton Road North will continue to remain under a 24-hour road closure for the remaining duration of the works.

North West Crewe Package (NWCP)

This month's progress

Following the closure on the A530 Middlewich Road, work has continued with the construction of Flowers Lane Roundabout (roundabout 3) and the Flowers Lane link road. Alongside these works, the surface water drainage system within the road has been completed and the newly created open ditch adjacent to the link road. Works including electricity, water and communications have also concluded. 

A full closure of Flowers Lane started on Monday 26 June, and will be in place for approximately 22 weeks. This is to allow the construction of Fairfield Roundabout (roundabout 4) and the link from Flowers Lane to the A530/Flowers Lane Roundabout (roundabout 3).

Further information on construction progress, traffic management measures and diversion routes will be updated on the Council's website.

Spotted an issue on the highway?

To report any highways issues that present an immediate danger, call us on 0300 123 5020 during working hours or out of working hours on 0300 123 5025. 

To report a problem on our roads such as potholes or pavements, or to check if the issue has already been reported visit our highways page.