Local councillors ask Cheshire East chief exec to drive 10.6 mile diversion route to see havoc it is causing

By Belinda Ryan - Local Democracy Reporter

11th Jun 2022 | Local News

Three councillors have called on Cheshire East's chief executive to drive the 10.6 mile diversion route through Crewe herself - to see the havoc it is causing local people.

Rachel Bailey (Audlem, Con)), Margaret Simon (Wistaston, Con) and Patrick Redstone (Odd Rode, Con) have written to Chief Executive Lorraine O'Donnell - saying the road closure has blocked important ambulance routes.

They say it has also added delays to residents' commutes and caused disruption throughout Crewe and Nantwich.

Road closure and diversion route signs from teh A530 Middlewich Road, Woolstanwood roundabout (Jonathan White).

The councillors demanded to know who was responsible for this 'pointlessly extended road closure'.

"We have severe concerns about the closure of this road and the negative impacts it will have on local taxpayers' lives," they said in the letter.

"As a local group of councillors, we drove the diversion route to Leighton Hospital from the Alvaston Roundabout and are concerned that:

the diversion signs assume that all road users are familiar with the area, so members of the public visiting Leighton Hospital may get lost and miss their critical medical appointments.
the diversion signs are contradictory and confusing, which could cause traffic accidents and danger on the roads
the diversion signs take little or no account of a family member trying to access Accident and Emergency with a poorly loved one; it is essential to note that not all emergencies access our hospital via ambulance."

A diversion route. Traffic is building up for Crewe residents and emergency vehicles on Minshull New Road (Jonathan White).

The Conservative councillors are angry that none of the questions they put to the interim head of highways at the recent meeting of the audit and governance committee were answered.

"As a matter of urgency, we would like you to address the lack of response from Cheshire East Council to both local and national coverage relating to the impact on journey times for Leighton Hospital staff and patients, Cheshire East waste operatives, road users and residents," they said.

Cheshire East told the Local Democracy Reporting Service last week the road is not closed for 80 weeks – and that safety of workers and road users remains of paramount importance.

A council spokesperson said: "The council has been working closely with our main contractors, Balfour Beatty, to ensure that the sequencing of the NWCP works is coordinated to allow them to take place safely.

"Any road or lane closures that are necessary are in place for the shortest amount of time as possible.

The road closure from the top of the bank on the A530 Middlewich Road (Jonathan White).

"Between now and March 2023, various full and partial closures will be required on the A530 Middlewich Road between junctions at Pyms Lane and Flowers Lane.

"The first of these closures – a full closure between junctions at Pyms Lane and Smithy Lane – is now in place until the end of October, with access maintained to the local businesses and residents.

"During this time, two new roundabouts will be built, along with new drainage, kerbing and surfacing, which is needed to tie the existing road into the new roundabouts.

"All this will require work to be carried out right across the road, including survey work to locate and divert utilities."

He added: "Furthermore, to construct one of these roundabouts, the existing road will have to be fully removed to a depth of approximately 1.2m.

"While works are taking place, a 'safety zone' needs to be put in place around them. There is not adequate space to do this without closing the road – especially given the speed and nature of the road.