FOUR months of diversion misery for Crewe motorists is set to end tomorrow (Fridady) when the A530 is reopened for through traffic.

Network Rail engineers have put the final touches to the £5.7m project which has seen a new bridge put in place at Boulderstones Bridge where Middlewich Road takes traffic over the Crewe to Chester rail line.

Diversions have been in place on the west side of Crewe since June 1 with the A530 closed south of its junction with Pyms Lane and north of the Woolstanwood/Beefeater roundabout for a total of 21 weeks.

Initially, it was anticipated the work would take longer with Cheshire East Council estimating the main thoroughfare between Crewe/Nantwich and Middlewich would be partly closed for up to six months.

The old bridge was lifted out in June and engineers placed the new structure in place during a blockade of the Crewe to Chester line between August 15 and 23.

The official diversion route forced motorists on a long-winded path around town, including travelling via the Nantwich by-pass, David Whitby Way, Sydney Road and Bradfield Road.

But most motorists have cut through Minshull New Road and Sunnybank Road onto Pyms Lane, although the former was identified as a "blue light" route for emergency vehicles and the latter was supposed to be restricted for use by residents only.

Rail chiefs said the essential work was needed to make the road crossing safer and reduce train delays.

Oluwole Osunneye, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: "This essential Railway Upgrade Plan work brings the crossing over the railway up to modern standards making it safe and reliable for both traffic above and rail passengers below."