Cheshire East Highways September Newsletter

Can't see the images below? If you're working from a computer, right-click your mouse on the red 'X' and select 'Download Pictures'. Alternatively, view this email online follow this link.

Highway's Customer Satisfaction Survey

Every year, we carry out a highway's satisfaction survey. This year, our annual customer satisfaction survey is being administered by APSE on behalf of Cheshire East Highways. 

This survey will run until Monday 30 September 2024 and will collect opinions and satisfaction within the highway service. 

Anyone over the age of 16, who lives or travels in Cheshire East can complete the survey. 

You can either complete the survey online here or by clicking the button below, or by collecting and returning a paper copy from one of the Council libraries or from Delamere House or Macclesfield Town Hall Customer Centres. 

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee said, "Please spend 5 minutes to complete this survey. It really helps us understand YOUR Highway priorities for the coming year. With limited funding, the results of this allows us to focus spending on the areas you really value most. Therefore, thank you for your time to complete this short questionnaire."

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 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 attended it on our online tracker.

Our winter season begins soon...

Throughout winter, our gritter crews remain on standby round the clock, seven days a week. Their essential work plays a crucial role in minimising risks on key routes throughout the winter season. While we regularly treat key routes across the borough, we cannot guarantee that all roads will be entirely free of snow or ice. Please be cautious, particularly on untreated roads.

For localised icy conditions, we have approximately 500 grit bins located across the borough for drivers and pedestrians to use. These bins contain a mixture of salt and sand that can be applied on public roads and walkways. For more information on grit bins, visit our designated grit bin webpage.

Surface dressing is complete

Our 2024 surface dressing programme is now complete! From July through to September, we have surface dressed the following roads: 

• A49 Whitchurch Road, Spurstow
• A500 Shavington Bypass
• A5022 Holmes Chapel Road, Brereton
• A533 Middlewich Road / London Road, Sandbach
• A54 Buxton Road
• A34 Wilmslow Bypass MacLean Way

We use surface dressing as a cost-effective way of improving road surfaces. It keeps roads in a good condition by helping 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.

Flag Donation

We recently donated flags from our Flags to Flexi footway works on Elm Drive to a community project in Crewe.  Alongside our supply chain partner GN Groundworks, we reused paving flags that were in the best condition and relocated them to Community Recycles Cycles in Crewe. The volunteers were then able to commence work on their project, led by Councillor Hazel Faddes

Our Flags to Flexi footway schemes are an environmentally friendly technique for converting old footway flags to a new flexible surface. By recycling excavated flags and materials, eliminating waste and reducing imports and exports, we can deliver a significant reduction in CO_2.

Works update

Gawsworth Crossroads Improvements

We will be installing traffic signals and resurfacing the road at the A536 Gawsworth crossroads to improve road safety and the condition of the road. The new traffic signals will be installed on the junction of Dark Lane / Church Lane / A536 in Gawsworth. 

The scheme is part of the Department for Transport Safer Roads Fund following a successful bid by Cheshire East Council.

Works are scheduled to start on 28 October 2024, and will take approximately 5 weeks to complete. The duration of the works is to allow for phasing to help to facilitate access to businesses and residents. 

The following works will take place: 

• Installation of the new traffic signals including pedestrian crossing facilities on the A536 and Church Lane
• Installation of street lighting
• Road resurfacing and completion works 
• New road markings
• Relocation of a bus stop 
• Changes to kerbing
• New traffic signs
• Footway maintenance works

For more information on this scheme, click the button below: 

West Street, Crewe - Highway improvements

We are carrying out works on West Street in Crewe, from Dunwoody Way to High Town to introduce measures to improve safety and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. 

The works are part of the Safer Roads Funds and we will be undertaking the following works: 

• Upgrading the existing zebra crossing by Dewes Street
• Resurfacing sections of the carriageway
• Installing raised tables on West Street at the junctions with Derby Street and Ford Lane
• Relocating and improving the visibility of the existing uncontrolled crossing points
• Installing speed cushions on West Street
• Refreshing the road markings

For more information on this scheme, including a full breakdown on the works, click the button below.

Southern Gateway, Crewe

As part of a phased scheme to improve the route for pedestrians and cyclists from the south of Crewe into the town centre, the council has appointed contractors to deliver the first phase.

Known as the Southern Gateway project, it will improve the link from Mill Street/Oak Street/Vernon Way to Forge Street. This is a project that is being funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund programme.

So far, we have:

Southern Gateway progress

• Completed accommodation works for Dunelm (relocated the new water tank and removed the old tank)
• Installed a parallel crossing on Vernon Way linking High Street to Mill Street
• Installed the foundations and fitted the L-walls into position.

Mill street progress

• Removed the old splitter island and installed the new splitter island
• Dug out the East kerb-line ready for new kerbing
• Completed the ducting and drainage for the East footpath.

Upcoming works

Installation of pedestrian crossing on Mill Street from now until 17 November.

Station Road, Wrenbury

We have been replacing and upgrading the drainage system along Station Road, Wrenbury as well as resurfacing the road. The work is taking place between the junction of Station Road / Wrenbury Road and to a point where the road crosses the River Weaver. 

Works are progressing well and we have: 

• Installed 10 new manholes and 36 gullies, along with new kerbing
• Constructed the headwall with a natural stone base, and landscaping has been completed at the outfall
• Set-up fencing on-site to ensure the safety of the headwall and the highways boundary

For further updates as the scheme progresses, visit out designated Station Road, Wrenbury webpage.

Following the completion of the drainage scheme, we will be returning in late October to complete resurfacing works and reinstate road markings. During this period, a temporary road surface will be in place to maintain the safety of road users. This work will take approximately 1 week to complete, weather dependant. 

You can watch the drone footage as the drainage works progressed here.

Valley Brook Corridor, Crewe

Cheshire East Council has ambitions to improve pedestrian and cycle links across Crewe, to encourage an uptake of walking and cycling in the town, and create a sustainable and connected travel network. To help achieve these ambitions, several different schemes are being brought forward via a number of sources of funding.

Between Monday 9 September 2024 and Sunday 20 October 2024, we are inviting feedback on the Valley Brook Corridor Scheme. This is an opportunity for us to understand what local people, businesses, and other stakeholders think about the scheme, any concerns they may have, and how we might improve the scheme, and we welcome all feedback on the Valley Brook Corridor scheme.

This project will be delivered by Cheshire East Council, in partnership with the Environment Agency and Crewe Town Council, and supported by the Towns Fund.

To allow local people, businesses and other stakeholders to find out more about the scheme, we are holding a public engagement exercise for six weeks between Monday 9 September 2024 and 23:59 on Sunday 20 October 2024, with two public information events being held as follows:

• Wednesday 18 September 2024, 12:00-20:00, within the Crewe Lifestyle Centre, Moss Square, Crewe, CW1 2BB
• Saturday 21 September 2024, 09:00 - 15:00, within the Taste for Life Café in Queens Park, Victoria Ave, Crewe, CW2 7SE.

More information on this scheme can be found by clicking the button below:

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: