February van fire causes delay to runway tunnel works

A van fire, which occured on February 28th, has caused a three-week delay to the works on one of the runway tunnels on the A538.

From the beginning of July traffic in both directions was scheduled to be switched to share the two tunnels that carry traffic from Wilmslow to Hale Barns.

However, a night time closure for traffic traveling from Wilmslow to Hale Barns is now scheduled for the end of July. Then through August, September and early October traffic in both directions will share the two tunnels that usually carry traffic from Wilmslow to Hale Barns.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said 'Soot throughout the tunnel has had to be cleaned from the bore walls before paint could be applied; this has taken much longer than first anticipated."

Works are currently underway to install new energy efficient, low maintenance and controllable lighting in the four road tunnels. In the four tunnels used by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders the walls are also being painted.

In early October there will be a final night time closure to return traffic to their correct tunnels. Additionally there will be ten days closures for each of the tunnels that carry pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. During these closures a road crossing will be placed to allow users to cross the A538 and allow travellers in both directions to share the tunnels.

Work has also commenced on the A538 junction improvement scheme to provide additional capacity on the road and improve access to Sunbank Lane.

Traffic disruption along the stretch of road adjacent the Amazon and DHL warehouses will continue until Spring 2018. On completion, the road will be widened to a dual-carriageway and the existing Sunbank Lane junction upgraded to signal control to access the Runway Visitor Park and the World Logistics Hub.

The first main phase of traffic management will be in operation until early October. This will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction and there will be some infrequent off-peak or overnight lane closures.

Photos courtesy of @onlydale via Twitter.