Four main roads added back into gritting programme

In 2021 Cheshire East Council confirmed changes would be made to the local gritting routes that winter following a review.

The new routes were determined according to assessment criteria, with each road scored and ranked accordingly, following consultations with council members, area highway group chairs, schools, cycling groups, town and parish councils and emergency services.

As a result five roads in Alderley Edge were removed from the list of those to be gritted:

• Chapel Road
• Chorley Hall Lane
• Heyes Lane
• Mottram Road
• Trafford Road

However, following pressure from Councillor Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council agreed that town and parish councils should have the opportunity to buy routes back into the programme, in line with local priorities.

Alderley Edge Parish Council therefore decided to take up this opportunity and pay for four of those five roads to be added back into the Council's gritting programme.

Cllr Rachael Grantham, as Chair of the Parish Council, said "As a result, Alderley Edge Parish Council has contracted with Cheshire East Highways over the next three years to ensure that Heyes Lane, Chorley Hall Lane, Chapel Road and Mottram Road will all continue to be gritted.

"The cost to the Alderley Edge is just £3000 a year, which we were able to cover without increasing the precept (our part of the Council Tax bill). There have been a number of occasions over the last few months where this service proved essential and the treated roads made for a much easier and safer commute."