MP David Rutley has met with council highways officers to discuss safety concerns about a set of roadworks in Macclesfield.
The roadworks at Broken Cross – to replace a roundabout with permanent traffic lights – began on 30th August 2022 and are scheduled to be completed by early March 2023.
Mr Rutley said residents have been raising concerns over pedestrian safety and a number of traffic accidents that have occurred in the vicinity of the roadworks.
He said drivers had become confused after traffic signals were switched off when workers downed tools over Christmas.
The road layout had to be altered due to a huge increase in the number of houses nearby – with housing developments on Chelford Road set to see more than 300 new homes built.
Mr Rutley met on site with Cheshire East Council road safety manager Simon Wallace to discuss the safety of road users and pedestrians.
The pair discussed how drivers are getting confused about traffic flows and rights of way, and this has led to a number of collisions.
Mr Wallace confirmed that temporary traffic lights have been switched off during a pause in the roadworks over Christmas, and said he will ensure contractors cover up the lights when they’re not in use to help improve safety at the site.
There are also reports that drivers are driving over a grass verge on Pexhill Road to avoid congestion.
Mr Rutley said he had raised the issue directly with Cheshire East Council, adding that he is pleased it is now being addressed with temporary signage and barriers.
Mr Rutley said he’d stressed the importance of communication to ensure residents were kept updated on the scheme and future phases of the project.
Mr Wallace confirmed work restarted earlier this month and that from 25th January 2023 re-surfacing works will begin at the roundabout, with some sections due to be closed whilst these take place.
The works currently have a completion date of end of February/early March 2023.
Commenting after his meeting with council officers, Mr Rutley said: “Local residents have raised a number of concerns about the works at Broken Cross roundabout, since they commenced.
“I have been in frequent contact with Cheshire East Council to highlight the need to improve communication and address ongoing safety concerns.
“I am pleased Mr Wallace and the highways team will be instructing the contractors to come back and cover all the traffic lights to reduce the confusion at the roundabout over the Christmas break, and help raise awareness of local residents and road users of plans for the weeks ahead.”
