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A busy summer for highway improvements
You may notice an increase in roadworks across the borough over the summer months, as the warmer weather provides the best conditions for road surfacing and maintenance.
Some schemes are already under way, although a small number have been delayed by weather conditions, including heavy rain and high temperatures. With fewer vehicles on the roads during the holidays, we also carry out essential resurfacing, surface dressing and micro-surfacing works with less disruption.
We know roadworks can be inconvenient and thank you for your patience. Wherever possible, we schedule works during school holidays and coordinate with utility companies and other partners to help minimise disruption. However, emergency utility repairs can sometimes take place at the same time as planned roadworks, which may lead to additional delays. We encourage you to check their route before travelling and allow extra time for your journey if needed.
We have already completed the majority of our surface dressing programme, you can find out about the remaining works that will be taking place on our surface dressing webpage
Micro surfacing programme
We carry out micro surfacing during the drier months to extend the life of our roads.
A thin layer is applied and sets within a few hours, but work is weather-dependent. Surfaces may initially look uneven, and ironworks can appear lower, this is normal over the following weeks, traffic and weather will help the road settle, smooth out and fully harden. There’s no need to report this.
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Road marking renewal
We will be refreshing road markings to keep them clear, visible and compliant, helping to improve road safety.
Where possible, we’ll use stop/go traffic management to minimise disruption. In some cases, a full closure may be needed. For the latest updates, visit one.network.
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Resurfacing Programme
Our resurfacing programme is getting underway as we deliver improvements to help keep roads safe, reliable and in good condition. You may see pre-patching works taking place ahead of resurfacing, helping to ensure roads are in the best possible condition before treatment begins.
Resurfacing work is taking place at a number of locations, including Stewart Street Crewe, Flag Lane in Crewe, Chapel Lane Wilmslow, and Newcastle Road Crewe.
You can view planned schemes through our interactive Programme of Works map.
With road surface temperatures remaining exceptionally high, our teams have continued carrying out granite dusting operations on some recently surface dressed roads.
Granite dust helps absorb excess bitumen that can rise to the surface during periods of intense heat, improving grip and helping keep roads safe.
Our inspectors are monitoring conditions daily and identifying locations where additional treatment is needed. In some areas, the extreme temperatures have affected the surface beyond what can be addressed through dusting alone.
Where this is the case, we are recording these locations and will programme any necessary remedial works once temperatures return to more normal levels and materials can be applied effectively.
What we're doing:
👷 Carrying out daily inspections across the network
🚛 Granite dusting where required
🛣️ Planning remedial repairs where necessary once conditions allow
Recently completed Highways Schemes
Highway works carried out between April and July
Between April and July 2026, we have delivered a wide range of maintenance and improvement works, including over 416,000m² of carriageway improvements, repairs to 13,495 highway defects, and the completion of 12 bridge schemes and four major projects. Our teams also carried out extensive drainage maintenance, attended over 18,000 gullies, and completed 349 streetlight repairs, helping to keep the network safe and reliable for all road users.
B5470 Macclesfield Road, Rainow - Reopened ahead of schedule
The B5470 between Ginclough and Kettleshulme reopened ahead of schedule following a major repair programme after the road collapse in January 2025.
The scheme was complex due to its challenging rural location and involved significant works, including drainage improvements, reconstruction of the embankment, and full resurfacing. Additional repairs and vegetation clearance were also carried out as part of the project.
The early reopening was welcome news for residents and road users, restoring a key route in the area. Click the button below to watch footage of the completed works
 Before and after photographs of Macclesfield Road, Rainow
For more information on the project to rebuild the embankment and road, please click below
Update on Baddington Bridge
We have completed an options study looking at ways to address the issues at Baddington Bridge and the adjoining embankment.
As part of this work, ecological and topographical surveys have already been undertaken. Further intrusive ground investigations have begun and will provide more detailed information on the condition of the embankment and surrounding ground conditions. The results will help inform the design and scope of a solution.
The findings will help decide the most appropriate design and the type of works needed to deliver a long-term solution for the bridge and embankment. Given how complex the issue is and the investigative surveys that need to be carried out, it is too early to provide a definitive timeframe for reopening the route to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. However, depending on the outcome of the surveys and the design development, we are currently hoping works could begin in spring 2027.
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Pickmere Lane Bridge Replacement Update
Work is continuing to progress on plans to replace the bridge on Pickmere Lane, Pickmere, following the closure of the road due to the deteriorating condition of the structure over Waterless Brook.
After inspections identified a risk of collapse, the bridge was safely demolished in a controlled operation in April 2025. A temporary water main diversion installed by United Utilities has ensured homes and businesses in the area continue to receive water supplies.
Replacing the bridge is a complex project due to challenging ground conditions, including underground water, rock salt deposits and the area's historic brine extraction activity. Following ground surveys completed earlier this year, specialist contractors are now carrying out further investigations to help identify the preferred bridge replacement option.
Once the preferred solution has been agreed, the scheme will move into the detailed design and approval stages. Subject to the outcome of the investigations, construction is currently expected to begin in summer 2027.
The road closure will remain in place until a safe and permanent replacement bridge can be delivered.
For further information, please click below:
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Middlewich Eastern Bypass Construction Progress
Work on the Middlewich Eastern Bypass is progressing well on this major infrastructure project.
The new bypass will help reduce congestion in Middlewich, improve journey times and support future growth. The scheme includes a new road to the east of the town, new bridges over the canal and railway, improved junctions, walking and cycling routes, and better connections to the A533.
Since work began in May, lots of progress has been made across the site, including the construction of the main compound, installation of fencing along the route, creation of temporary access roads and the start of work on the new railway bridge. Over the coming months, teams will continue construction of the bridges while preparing the ground for the new road and installing drainage infrastructure.
For the latest project updates, traffic management information and to sign up for updates please click below:
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Supporting our local communities
We have taken part in a number of local events, benefiting local communities in Cheshire East.
These include engaging with young people at careers events and jobs fairs in Macclesfield, Crewe, Shavington and South Cheshire College to promote opportunities in highways, led by our current apprentices and engineers.
We also supported Armed Forces Day held at Victoria Park, Crewe with traffic management to keep the event safe.
We also held our annual football tournament with our supply chain partners and raised a fantastic £1,557 for The Lighthouse Charity.
Some of the team will be undertaking the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in support of Mates in Mind, a charity dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and ensuring that nobody has to face mental health challenges alone. Over the course of a single day, the team will be climbing the iconic peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.
These activities highlight a continued commitment to supporting communities, skills and employment.
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