Newsletter update
Welcome to the September edition of our highways newsletter. We are changing the frequency of this monthly newsletter to quarterly. The next edition is planned to be shared in December.
Gullies in Autumn
During autumn, leaf fall along with the wet weather can mean that gullies may start to run a bit slower. This doesn't mean that they are blocked or need immediate attention.
Before you report an issue with a gully or drain you should be aware that gullies vary in the speed they can drain water away. Some will overflow during heavy rain even if there is no blockage. The water will clear when the rain stops.
Please only report overflowing or blocked gullies if it is still causing a flood when the heavy rain clears. Blocked gullies will be emptied as part of our gully emptying programme where we empty them and check that they are working.
We inspect our gullies for any damage and will arrange any repairs if they are required. You can check to see the gullies we maintain and when we last emptied it on our online tracker.
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Our winter season begins soon...
We're almost at the start of our 2023/24 winter season which commences at the beginning of October! Our team look after gritting and snow clearance during the colder months have been working behind the scenes in preparation with our salt-barns stocked and our drivers on stand-by.
Throughout the winter, our gritter crews are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our gritting team do vital work to reduce the risk on key routes throughout the winter months.
We routinely treat key routes across the borough, but we cannot ensure that all roads will be completely clear of snow or ice, so please take care – especially on untreated roads.
There are around 500 of our grit bins at various locations across the borough to allow drivers and pedestrians to treat localised icy conditions. The bins contain a mix of salt and sand which you can use on public roads and pavements. You can ask us to provide, re-stock, fix or replace a damaged grit bin by reporting it online.
To view our gritting routes ahead of the season or for more information on our winter service click below:
We've been shortlisted!
We have recently entered a range of highways industry awards to celebrate the achievements of some of our highways schemes and our people too.
We’re proud to announce that we have successfully been awarded the Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice for our Marthall Lane scheme!
Highways Awards
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Apprentice of the Year – Joe Gaskell, Structures Technician
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Steve Berry Highways Authority Innovation Award - Marthall Lane
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Michael Conway MBE Community Leaders Award – Neil Farley, Construction Team Leader
Highways Heroes Awards
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Highways Hero for Mark Smith, Construction Supervisor (Mark has been working within the industry for over 45 years and continues to inspire with his dedication, selflessness & knowledge)
Highways UK Excellence Awards
- Net Zero Category for Marthall Lane
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The awards will be presented across October and November, and we wish all of our shortlisted staff and teams good luck!
Are upcoming roadworks happening in your area?
Our online roadworks map, otherwise known as one.network, allows you to view current and upcoming roadworks in any area of your choice across Cheshire East. The map is displayed on the Cheshire East Roadworks page where you can search by street name and area and for roadworks today and in the coming weeks.
Our network management team process requested permits and display them on the one.network online roadworks mapping to share planned works. This way, everyone can see what works are taking place and plan their journeys accordingly.
Emergencies on the network
In some cases, it's not always possible to display all roadworks happening as emergency works do occur sometimes, including when utility companies have to react to emergencies such as a water burst, a gas leak or to restore electric power. However, we do aim to show the majority of works happening across Cheshire East on one.network.
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Keeping you informed
You can set yourself up to receive automated emails which include details of planned roadworks in any area of Cheshire East. To do so, you must create an account on one.network (free) with your email address, this will allow you to receive updates and information on roadworks within an area of your choice.
A single click on the map will provide you with the identity, nature and likely dates that the works will be happening, whilst also providing official diversion routes. Local known events, and live traffic information can also be found on the map, if you select the appropriate layers.
Sign up to receive your alerts here:
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Surface dressing is complete
Our 2023 surface dressing programme is now complete! From July through to September, we have surface dressed the following roads within the borough:
- London Road North, Poynton
- Woodford Road, Poynton
- Wrexham Road, Wrenbury
- Mow Lane, Newbold Astbury
- Dog Lane/A50, Brereton
- Plumley Moor Road, Chelford
- Knutsford Road, Mobberley
We use surface dressing as a cost effective way of improving road surfaces. It helps keep roads in a good condition and will help to prevent cracks and potholes. It adds a new layer on top of an existing road surface and is a preventative maintenance treatment.
You can read more about surface dressing and our different road treatment methods here.
Thank you to everyone for their patience whilst we have completed this programme of works.
Supporting the local community
We have recently volunteered our support to the Sandbach Woodland and Wildlife Group to help improve and restore access to a wildlife trail.
The social value initiative saw the replacement of two eroded footbridges that had long stood as barriers along the footpath adjacent to Arclid Brook, leading towards the Wheelock Rail trail near to Crewe Road.
Our team of volunteers helped take apart the existing timber footbridge near Wheelock and install a piped culvert as part of the new replacement. The original footbridges had weakened over time and this work has now created better access to the woodland area and will help ensure accessibility for years to come.
Further information and project progress can be found on the Sandbach Woodland and Wildlife Group Facebook page.
Works update
A500 Shavington Bypass - Improvement works
We are delivering a range of highway maintenance and improvements works on the A500 Shavington Bypass and surrounding roundabouts heading towards the M6.
Carriageway patching and resurfacing works will be carried out in a series of phases on Meremoor Moss Roundabout (RB1), Weston Gate Roundabout (RB2) and Shavington Bypass Roundabout (RB3).
These essential works started on 21 September and will complete on 03 October 2023. Necessary road closures will be in place overnight between the hours of 19:00 - 06:00 to minimise disruption during peak travel times.
We will also be undertaking maintenance activities such as road lining works, signage replacement, structural inspections, gully cleansing, street lighting cable fault repairs, where possible, and litter picking during the works. The aim of this is to address as many highways issues as possible along this stretch of road within the closure to minimise future visits and further closures, reducing disruption to road users.
Handforth highways works - B5358 Wilmslow Road / Spath Lane
We will be installing a new shared footpath along the B5358 Wilmslow Road, between Spath Lane (southern junction with B5358 Wilmslow Road) and Clay Lane. New parking bays will also be installed on Spath Lane between the junction of Henbury Road and Ollerton Road.
The aim of the scheme is to improve the existing walking and cycling route along the B5358 Wilmslow Road, Handforth. This will be from the village centre in the area of The Paddock, northwards, and will link in with existing path alongside the A555.
The improvement works will start on 25 September 2023 for 10 weeks under a range of traffic management including temporary traffic lights and road closures. Works will include the widening of the footway for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as resurfacing works, the installation of new drainage, kerbing, refreshed road markings, improved controlled pedestrian crossing and the installation of additional traffic calming measures.
A537 Macclesfield to Buxton - Vehicle Restraint System upgrade
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We are working to upgrade the vehicle restraint system, a barrier along the road which helps protect road users from hazards, along the A537 Macclesfield to Buxton.
The works will take place under a 24 hour road closure and started on 11 September until 13 October, excluding weekends.
Whilst the road closure is not in place, outside of the above hours, the road will be under temporary traffic signals and a 30mph temporary speed reduction limit will be in place.
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Nantwich Road, Crewe - Traffic signals upgrade is now complete!
We have introduced controlled crossing facilities at the junctions of Nantwich Road/South Street and Nantwich Road/Gresty Road.
The upgrades to the signals aim to help ease congestion, reduce travel times and aim to improve air quality in the area. The project was supported by the government’s Future High Streets Fund, following the council’s successful bid for a total of £14.1m of funding.
The final phase of the work is due to be completed in early October where we will be installing some final parts of the traffic signal equipment. There will be some pedestrian management in place which will reduce the width of the footways for a short time.
Thank you for your patience whilst most of this work has taken place.
Rode Mill Culvert Replacement
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Culvert replacement works on Rode Mill Culvert see the first design, delivery and installation of a new corrugated steel arch culvert on our network.
A corrugated steel arch culvert is a type of corrugated metal pipe that is used for the drainage of water and other liquids. It is made by rolling a sheet of metal into a wave-like shape and then joining the edges of the sheet together to form a tube. The corrugations, or waves, in the metal provide additional strength and rigidity to the pipe, making it more resistant to damage and collapse.
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A 24-hour road closure on Church Lane between the junction of Chance Hall Lane and Congleton Road North will remain in place for the remaining duration of the works.
Thank you for your patience whilst we complete these works.
North West Crewe Package (NWCP)
Latest Updates
The full road closure will remain in place on Flowers Lane until November. This is allowing the surface water drainage to be installed and full depth carriageway construction to take place on the roundabout. Water and electricity services will also be diverted.
The construction of the East/West link road and Smithy Lane West carriageway will continue in preparation for the road surfacing.
Deep surface and foul water drainage will continue along the Spine Road.
Minshull New Road has now reopened following works to link it up with the new Fairfield Roundabout, near Leighton Brook.
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, click below:
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