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Cheshire East Council has set out its highways and transport investment for 2026/27, outlining major work to improve the borough’s roads and make travel safer.
The council is investing £45 million in highways and transport next year, including £32 million for road maintenance — £5 million more than last year.
During winter, only essential safety repairs can be carried out, but warmer months allow for more cost‑effective and long‑lasting improvements.
Full details of the Road Improvement Programme can be found by clicking the link below.
All scheduled highways schemes are available on our interactive mapping system, where you can explore planned works by:
- scrolling and zooming on the map
- typing a location into the search bar
- filtering by asset type or treatment
A full list of schemes is also provided beneath the map, arranged alphabetically by road name. You can access the map on any device, and it will be updated monthly due to the scale of the programme.
Click the button below to view the 2026/27 Programme of Works Map
 *Gullies returned to operational figure up to February 2026, currently awaiting final figure
After a cold and wet winter, you may notice an increase in potholes on our roads, this is a challenge faced not only here in Cheshire East but by councils throughout the UK. Winter weather creates the ideal conditions for road damage as rainwater seeps into small cracks in the road surface and when temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, widening the cracks and weakening the layers beneath.
Our crews are working hard across the network to fix potholes, prioritise safety, and keep the borough moving.
To meet the rise in repair requests with our current resources, we’re temporarily using a different method for fixing roads until demand eases later in the year and our resurfacing programme starts. These temporary repairs may not look neat, but they are durable and, and most importantly, they keep the roads safe. Each site is then reviewed to determine the best long-term fix. Once demand drops, we’ll return to our usual repair standards.
We thank residents for reporting issues via traCE and for their patience while essential repairs take place. For more information on how we are fixing potholes, please see the link to our video below:
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 As we move into the warmer months, our teams are increasing pre‑patching works across the borough. These repairs prepare road surfaces for the summer surface dressing programme, which requires dry, warm weather to be effective.
Surface dressing typically begins in May and helps to improve grip, seal the road surface, and extend the life of our network. Residents may notice patching activity beforehand as we get roads ready for treatment.
Where works are planned in your area, we’ll notify you in advance. During these visits, we often complete extra tasks such as footway repairs, sign cleaning, and gully emptying to minimise disruption.
Our works programme is updated monthly so you can track progress and upcoming maintenance in your area.
We’ve begun essential improvement works at Poynton Shared Space to ensure this busy town‑centre area continues to operate safely and effectively for everyone.
The shared space, introduced in 2011 to encourage lower vehicle speeds and greater awareness between drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, now needs renewal after more than a decade of use. We are replacing the block paving with a buff‑coloured asphalt that is safer, more durable, and still in keeping to the area’s appearance. The buff surface provides strong visual contrast for all users, including those with visual impairments, and is the closest practical match to the existing colour.
Road closures and traffic management started on 16 March 2026 and includes:
- Drainage upgrades on London Road South
- New street lighting along London Road North, London Road South and Chester Road
- Repairs and retexturing at Fountain Place
- Resurfacing and road improvements across the shared space area
The works have been carefully phased to maintain access for residents and businesses throughout. They are also being coordinated with a major upgrade to Poynton’s water system, helping to minimise disruption by aligning activity wherever possible. For more information, including diversion routes, click below.
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Work is now complete on Phase 1 of the 1.5‑mile walking and cycling route between Wilmslow and Handforth, which has been delivered with support from Active Travel England. The works included completing works between Station Road and the Bulls Head Pub, resurfacing between Stanneylands Road and Handforth Bridge, and the construction of the new segregated cycleway along with a bus stop bypass and upgraded kerbing.
The scheme also includes two new toucan crossings, improvements at the Stanneylands Road junction, speed limit reductions from 40mph to 30mph, better signage, and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety features throughout the route.
The project forms part of a wider active travel network planned for the area, with further funding applications underway to extend improvements along Manchester Road.
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Continuing with our programme of safety and active‑travel improvements we have completed the Phase 1 works at Peacock Roundabout on the A51 Nantwich Bypass. The recent works have delivered a new signal‑controlled toucan crossing, upgraded street lighting, an improved cycleway, and a speed‑limit reduction on approaches to the roundabout. Phase 2 works will begin later in the year. |
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We have completed essential improvement works on Gas Road Bridge along the A523 The Silk Road in Macclesfield. The scheme included replacing the bridge and carriageway joints, installing new street lighting, improving the footway, cleansing and reconstructing gullies, and resurfacing and remarking the carriageway.
To minimise disruption, the majority of activity was carried out overnight, with some daytime lane closures required to allow materials to set.
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We recently carried out works to install a new puffin pedestrian crossing on the A5033 Northwich Road in Knutsford. The scheme also included footway widening, carriageway resurfacing, and updated road markings to improve safety in the area.
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Reconstruction of Booths Bridge on Cheadle Lane, Plumley, demolished in 2024 because of major structural issues and collapse risk, has now been completed.
The construction of new bridge included the installation of supporting piles, a new beam bridge deck, reconstruction of the parapet using reclaimed materials from the old bridge and resurfacing of the road. These improvements will restore a key route for the Plumley community.
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As spring has arrived, we’re reminding residents and landowners to check roadside hedges and trees to ensure they don’t obstruct footways or cause safety risks for road users. Overgrown vegetation can reduce visibility and force pedestrians into the road, which may result in owners being asked to cut it back if it becomes unsafe.
However, bird nesting season runs from March to August, and many species rely on hedges for shelter during this time. It’s illegal to damage or destroy an active nest, so pruning should be avoided during these months, with the most intense nesting activity occurring between March and July. Always check carefully for nests before carrying out any work.
We carry out hedge cutting mainly between October and November, minimising the ecological impact while keeping highways safe. By timing your maintenance responsibly, you help protect local wildlife and keep our roads safe for everyone.
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In February, members of our team supported a Year 13 mock assessment centre led by Cheshire and Warrington Pledge held at Crewe Alexandra in Crewe. The event brought together 50 students from four local secondary schools, alongside staff from 10 different employers, who helped facilitate activities and provide valuable feedback to the students.
Designed to reflect real‑world recruitment processes, the day included mock interviews, a group engineering challenge, and a creative sales‑pitch task using inflatable products. Students also had the opportunity to speak directly with employers about potential career pathways.
Written feedback collected throughout the event has since been shared with students to support their development and career readiness. The event also provided an excellent opportunity to showcase our service and highlight the range of career options available within Cheshire East Highways.
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Our team were proud to represent Cheshire East Highways at the Apprenticeship Event held at Cheshire College – South & West during National Apprenticeship week and organised by the Cheshire and Warrington Pledge.
The event offered a valuable opportunity to:
- Engage with students and job seekers
- Answer questions about our apprenticeship pathways and available roles
- Showcase the wide range of works which are delivered across our service
These conversations play an important role in helping potential apprentices understand the rewarding career routes available within highways, while also allowing us to inspire the next generation of talent. There was strong interest in our stand throughout the event, reflecting the enthusiasm and curiosity of those exploring future opportunities.
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