Alderley Edge Parish Council confirmed at this week's meeting that the Alderley Edge bypass will close for a three week period during April. (update: National Grid have since confirmed this is not the case - see below)
As reported last week, National Grid will close the road to enable works to be carried out to the electricity pylons and lines.
Whilst the bypass is shut traffic will be diverted through the village for three weeks and a number of Public Right of Way footpaths will also be closed for short periods for public safety.
The initial plan was to close the bypass from the end of May, but Cheshire East Council (CEC) requested that the dates were revised given that London Road will be closed on Sunday 3rd June for the Big Lunch Jubilee celebration.
Parish Councillors are far from happy with the news and want an explanation as to why the bypass needs to be closed for three weeks.
Cllr Nigel Schofield asked "Can't we go back and say it is unacceptable to close the bypass? The cost to businesses of closing the bypass for three weeks will be astronomical."
Cllr Frank Keegan added "Closing the bypass will have an enormous affect on the village.
"It is extremely unnecessary for the road to be closed because all across the country you can see these enormous cradles, but rather than going to the expense of building these they have gone to CEC and said can we close the road and they've said yes."
National Grid is investing £28 million on refurbishing 178 pylons and two sections of overhead line which run between Daines near Manchester, Macclesfield and Cellarhead near Stoke on Trent. These are part of the network of overhead lines, underground cables and substations that carry high voltage electricity across the country.
A spokesperson for National Grid said "We need to close the bypass because the overhead line crosses over the road in two places. It would not be safe for our engineers, or for motorists, if we were to carry out works with traffic passing below the line."
National Grid will be writing to homes and businesses directly affected by its work on the lines in the area and advance notice will be given of road and footpath closures. For further information about the work call 0800 389 7235.
Update: Tuesday 13th March 11.46pm.
A spokesperson from National Grid sent the following message to me today:
"I've checked with our engineers - we haven't formally agreed closure dates with the council yet.
"We've noted the comments on your website and I can tell you that we are currently reviewing the plans for our work in the area around the bypass.
"I would assure you and visitors to your site that we will do everything we can to balance the need to carry out our works safely while causing as little disruption as possible to the community of Alderley Edge."
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