Safety roadworks are hit by further delays
‘People’s patience is wearing thin’ says campaigner
WORKS to finally fix the safety issues at Broken Cross traffic management scheme appears set to continue into May.
Contractors for developer Bellway were on site at Chelford Road as planned over the Easter holidays.
But the work was scheduled to take place between April 1 to 12 and, according to one.network roadworks website, the completion date is now May 3.
It is the latest delay in a saga that has left residents in the area thoroughly fed up.
Richard Slater, who has long campaigned on the issue, said: “The community’s patience is wearing thin.
“The repeated assurances that Bellway’s contractors would return to complete the necessary works have (as yet) been unfulfilled.
“Given the severity of these unresolved issues and their impact on public safety and community well-being, I urge the council to take immediate action.”
The project to turn Broken Cross roundabout into a traffic lights junction was a condition of planning permission for Bellway to build around
130 homes at the nearby Weaver Green estate.
It began back in August 2022 and a safety audit in March 2023 found 23 issues that needed addressing, including the potential for head on collisions.
Work to fix these was originally scheduled for before Christmas and then again in the Easter holidays.
Residents in the area say that although workers have been on site insufficient progress has been made.
It has been reported kerbstones have been replaced and steps have been taken to make it easier for large vehicles to negotiate a corner.
Bellway have been repeatedly asked for comment on the road scheme since it began and have said it is a matter for Cheshire East Council as the highways authority.
At a full council meeting in February the issue was raised by residents.
Councillor Mick Warren, chair of the environment and communities committee and Macclesfield East member, responded.
He said: “While there are some minor works to carry out, in planning terms the roundabout (junction) is being used and is open to traffic.
“Notwithstanding the condition on the original permission it would be harsh to argue harm is being caused by the minor works to be completed is sufficient to prevent the occupation on new properties.”