Change of plan for bypass closure

bypassclosureupdate

Following a number of complaints, Cheshire East Council has changed their plan for the closure of the A34 bypass.

Last week we reported that the A34 will be shut from the Harden Park roundabout (near The Merlin) to the A555 Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road from Monday 23rd March to Friday 27th March between the hours of 7pm and 5am.

The closure, which is to enable Cheshire East Highways to carry out lining and stud works, was described by Alderley Edge parish councillor Nigel Schofield "as absolute lack of thinking" given that 7pm is a peak time for traffic.

Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce, which sent a letter to Cheshire East, received confirmation that the Council has made changes in order to work with local businesses affected by their action.

Cheshire East Highways confirmed "The closure has been split into two parts to allow easier and better access to retail premises".

The A34 will be closed between the A555 roundabout junction and the Coppice Lane roundabout (at Handforth Dean) for one night only on Monday 23rd "giving uninterrupted access to the retail park".

The hours that the road will be closed have been shortened so that work will now start at 10pm, not 7pm, at which time most trading premises will have closed for the night.

The remainder of the length of road, from Coppice Lane to the Harden Park roundabout, will be closed for four nights on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th March from 10pm to 5am in order "to facilitate local business and the travelling public".

The scheduled work, which is weather dependent, includes new signage, repairs to safety fencing, cutting back vegetation to improve visibility, sweeping and litter picking as well as new markings and road studs.

Councillor David Topping, Cabinet member for service commissioning said: "This work is to enhance road safety on what is an extremely busy principal route.

"We are maintaining and improving our highway assets as part of our continual commitment to the residents who travel through our road network."

Traffic safety officers will be deployed to assist with advice and "Business Open" signs will also be positioned.

Councillor Topping added: "Unfortunately there will be some problems with traffic disruption and we thank businesses, residents and road users in advance for their patience and understanding.

"We do need to carry out this work and we have programmed disruption during the night time period to minimise congestion."

Updated: 27th March 9am

The road closure for Handforth Bypass to carry out lining & stud works has been completed early. The road will now remain open.

Tags:
A34 Bypass, Road Closures
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