Drivers in Alderley Edge are set to endure five weeks of roadworks while a new 20mph zone is installed in the village.
Work began today (Monday 30th January) on a traffic calming scheme which will focus on London Road, alongside other highway safety measures elsewhere in the village.
Several new features are being installed, aimed at slowing down traffic going through the centre of the village.
Cheshire East Council says the project has the support of local residents, schools and police.
It’s hoped the works will be completed near the end of February, and the council has pledged to minimise disruption as much as possible.
Residents will see new signage, surface treatments, kerbs and road markings, as well as raised road surfaces around pedestrian crossings in key places throughout the village.
There will be temporary traffic lights in place for about five weeks, operating 8am–6pm, including weekends, to allow for kerb widening and installation of new drainage and traffic calming measures.
Temporary traffic lights will be operating in three phases:
● 30th January – 8th February — London Road near Heyes Lane junction for 10 days
● 8th-17th February — London Road near Brown Street junction for 10 days
● 27th-28th February — Wilmslow Road near junction with Davey Lane for 2 days
In addtion, two road closures will be in place:
● 11th-12th February — London Road (from Ryleys Lane to De Trafford Arms Hotel) closed 8am-7pm both days.
● From 18th February — Ryleys Lane closed for nine days during school half-term holiday
Cllr Craig Browne is deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and Alderley Edge ward councillor as well as chair of the highways and transport committee.
He said: “The aim of the scheme is to help protect the safety of all road users, especially in the village centre and near our three village schools.
“It will also support the village economy, by creating a calmer and more pleasant environment for visitors to London Road.
“We’re committed to reducing unsafe speeds, which will help make our streets feel safer and create a more attractive place for people to walk, cycle and spend time, supporting a healthier and more active lifestyle.
“We recognise that this will create some disruption and we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause but we hope that, in the long term, residents in Alderley Edge will see the benefits of such an extensive scheme.”
Cheshire East highways staff have issued leaflets to residents to outline details of the scheme, and some aspects of the scheme have been planned to coincide with school holidays in order to minimise disruption.
Diversion routes will be in place and drivers are urged to follow these.
Cheshire East Council says people were asked to give their views on driver behaviour in the village, and whether they wished to see any measures taken.
They say reducing traffic speed greatly improves the chances of a pedestrian surviving a collision with a vehicle.
Following an impact at 20mph a pedestrian has a 97% chance of survival, compared with a 10% chance of survival at 40mph.
More information on the Alderley Edge scheme can be found at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/alderleyedge
