CREWE motorists have been warned to plan their journeys amid a surge in roadworks - while a town centre thoroughfare remains closed after a sinkhole emerged.

Cheshire East Council is advising drivers to visit their online system One Network to spot areas to avoid as there has been an increase in requests for roadworks from utility companies following the relaxing of lockdown measures.

While Covid-19 restrictions were in place many third party and utility schemes were put on the backburner, but now there has been an increase in requests for highways works over the summer and autumn months.

They include a kerb lowering scheme at the junction of Wistaston Road and Stewart Street which started today with the works running until Friday. And further along Wistaston Road motorists should be aware they will not be able to turn up Flag Lane, which was closed by highways officials over the weekend because of the road defect.

Utility work is also still ongoing until July 24 at nearby Rockwood Avenue by gas firm Cadent.

Cheshire East says its carriageway improvement programme is carefully planned and also needs to be done in the summer when the temperatures are higher and the weather is drier.

Cllr Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and waste, said: "During the lockdown period, the highways team did all it could to keep the roads safe and accessible.

"As the constraints have eased, we now need to get on with maintaining and improving roads while utility companies will need to get on with their delayed works. We will ensure the road space is managed carefully and coordinated to minimise delays as much as possible.

"However, it is inevitable there will be some disruption and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience. We would ask drivers to be patient and plan ahead."