MP demands answers over bypass ‘debacle’
MACCLESFIELD MP David Rutley is demanding answers from electricity bosses following the Silk Road debacle.
He has written to National Grid’s chief executive, John Pettigrew, asking why the bypass was not opened sooner when problems became apparent.
National Grid shut off the junction between Bollington Road and Hulley Road from August 4-13 to paint and repair electricity pylons.
But little of the work was completed because of problems elsewhere on the network.
Engineers will now have to close the road again later in the year.
The closure along with other roadworks in the town was blamed with causing traffic chaos on the roads of the town.
Mr Rutley is seeking answers for residents and businesses as to why these issues were not identified before road closures took place, and why, once the problems became apparent, steps were not taken to reopen the Silk Road more quickly.
He is also demanding that the works will be completed at a time of year that minimises disruption. Mr Rutley said: “I know that this has been a testing time for local residents, who have experienced considerable congestion and delays.
“Maintenance works such as this are necessary from time to time, but it is very concerning that these challenges were not anticipated more readily and that the Silk Road was not reopened more swiftly.
“It is essential that, whenever these works are rescheduled, disruption and inconvenience to residents and businesses is kept to a minimum, and I will continue to actively make this point to the National Grid going forward.”
National Grid said once the fault is repaired it will publicise revised plans for the maintenance work.
A spokesman from National Grid said: “We are aware of Mr Rutley’s concerns and will be in contact with him as we develop our plans to resume work on this vital project. Supplies to local homes and businesses have been maintained throughout the interruption to the work and will not be affected once it resumes. We will work closely with all parties to agree a revised programme which takes into account the need to keep traffic flowing during this essential maintenance work.”
National Grid’s £8m project will replace 50-year-old overhead power lines that run between Macclesfield and Stockport.