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A further accolade for Alderley Edge Bypass

By Lisa Reeves - Saturday, 4th June, 2011 - 17 comments

Official photo

Birse Civils and Cheshire East Council have been awarded the Integration and Collaborative Working Award at the North West Construction Awards.

Hosted by Centre for Construction Innovation North West (CCINW), the awards recognise the achievements of the North West construction industry, showcasing the best and most innovative construction projects and working practices in the region. The Integration and Collaborative Working Award seeks to find examples of procurement, systematic project management, collaboration up and down the supply chain, integrated logistics, as well as evidence of improvements as a result.

Roy Stewart, Chief Executive at CCINW, commented: "The Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley Bypass is an exceptional project and a fine example of collaboration and integrated working between client, contractor and the supply chain - an excellent project with fantastic end results that shows just what an truly integrated team can do."

The construction of the bypass included three road bridges, a rail bridge over the West Coast Mainline, a footbridge, 1km of bentonite slurry wall and a bored pile retaining wall. The works also included construction of a new roundabout and modifications to an existing roundabout.

The bypass was also named North West Transportation Project of the Year 2010 at the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation Awards and at the Builder & Engineer Awards 2010 the prestigious Builder & Engineer Civil/Highway Project of the Year was awarded to Cheshire East Council and Birse Civils for the Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley Bypass.

The project, which was delivered six-months ahead of schedule, will now go forward to the National Constructing Excellence Awards in London in November.

17 Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Fenton Simpson Sunday, 5th Jun, 2011 9:51 pm
Well it's not finished is it? There's some work still to be finished mid way.
Graeme Simister Tuesday, 7th Jun, 2011 5:34 pm
Just one of many thoughts I have about the bypass. Given that it appears to be a well designed race track, would it be a sensible idea to move the speed camera from the old A34 by Astra Zeneca on to the bypass?
Jon Williams Tuesday, 7th Jun, 2011 5:42 pm
I agree with that Graeme, also tailgating at 60 + needs looking at
Chris Howlison Tuesday, 7th Jun, 2011 6:23 pm
What sad comments so far on a very well earned award.The bypass is superb and has transformed Alderley Edge for the better.
Graeme Simister Wednesday, 8th Jun, 2011 11:33 am
Yes Chris it has become 'The Deserted Village' all the passing trade now goes via the bypass.
Mike Norbury Wednesday, 8th Jun, 2011 1:01 pm
'deserted village' ??? deserted by hgvs and en route traffic that didnt stop and shop anyway as they were coming straight through as thats where the a34 was. Now the village does not have the same gridlock at peak times and a continual stream of wagons through it it has become a little more peaceful and easier to travel around on your daily village-based business.

I was against the bypass but have to admit it has made a positive difference to our village.
Dave Clarke Wednesday, 8th Jun, 2011 9:30 pm
I agree the village is far from deserted, still plenty of car traffic when I am around, however the only large trucks are the Supermarket deliveries (thankfully).
Graeme Simister Thursday, 9th Jun, 2011 8:29 pm
I'm sorry Mike and Dave but you are missing my point.

No one can say that the work done on the bypass construction is not good, but the question is what effect it will have on the retail prospects of the village.

Prior to its construction amongst others we lost the antique shops, the DIY shop, two bakers, the fish mongers, the sweet shop, Billsborough's hardware, the Legend, the Gallery, individual shops such as Nota Bene, two greengrocers, three menswear shops, and so on.

Remove the cafes, restaurants and esate agents there is not much left. Tesco and Waitrose? Why come to Alderley when you can park for free at Handforth or Wilmslow?

The bypass has taken away the opportunity for any passing trade for the few remaining shops, and there are few incentives to come off it to visit the village.

Incidentally the village may be quieter, which supports my point but there has been no effect on Ryleys Lane where the three schools are. And it is certainly not quieter for those living between the bypass and the village with the constant noise of speeding traffic.
Chris Howlison Friday, 10th Jun, 2011 8:16 am
As you say, Graeme, these retail shops went prior to the bypass and not because of the bypass. None of the bypass traffic is in the mood to shop. Obviously the schools still cause traffic problems but this is not the fault of the bypass.
Dave Clarke Friday, 10th Jun, 2011 8:56 am
Thanks Chris - great point, and at least with the bypass their is less chance of a tragic accident when a person was knocked down by a truck as happened not too long ago. That's not to say it wil never happen again but hopefully less 'heavy' traffic will be an inprovement, medium and long term.
Mike Norbury Friday, 10th Jun, 2011 7:21 pm
The bypass and the retail problems of the village are two completely different issues. If the landlords on some retail premises over the past years had not been so bloody money grabbing due to the location of their property, the smaller businesses would still be able to function in the village. Unfortunately Alderley Edge is a victim of its own success sometimes. I can remember rent increases being cited as the reason businesses have folded over the last 3 decades. So bypassing hgvs from the main road through the shops cannot really be blamed for closures I feel. Plus some businesses that haven't made a sucess of their time in the village it may be a case of question what your trying to sell.
Dave Clarke Friday, 10th Jun, 2011 7:46 pm
Well said Mike!
Graeme Simister Sunday, 12th Jun, 2011 5:50 pm
Dave & Mike
I'm sorry but you miss my point. Many shops did go long before the bypass for many reasons, but my concern is that because fewer people are now passing through the village the prospects for retailing are not as good as they were and may result in the complete demise of that economic sector within the village. Currently there is very little to attract revenue in to it. Even the restaurants, cafes and hotels may suffer as those establishments in other bypassed villages have found. What is to be done I have to confess to not knowing the answer but someone must.
Mike Norbury Monday, 13th Jun, 2011 10:27 am
Graeme I do understand what you wrote.

As for the answers to problems that have not arisen yet I don't know the answer either.
Andrew Lovegrove Monday, 13th Jun, 2011 3:36 pm
As someone who travels from Congleton to Manchester Airport on a daily basis I thought I would offer my opion on this thread.
I am delighted to now be using the bypass which has now taken a good 5-10 minutes a day each way off my commute. Prior to its opening and having to crawl through the village I was NEVER tempted to 'pull over and have a look' at the shops etc mainly because parking was too stressful - cars up your a**e end and the general impatience of other drivers.
Dave Clarke Monday, 13th Jun, 2011 8:04 pm
Andrew - what a refreshing, open honest and insightful comment. it made me laugh out loud. But in a positive way, thanks and probably a position that is shared by many.
Craig Wilson Monday, 13th Jun, 2011 11:36 pm
I would still love to hear from the 'vocal many' who said "the bypass will have no or little effect on the traffic in the town".

I think that bandwaggon may have moved on.
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