20 MPH ZONE FINAL DESIGNS PUBLISHED

Following the recent installation of acoustic cameras on Pendleton Way, a number of residents have contacted me to seek an update on the implementation of the 20mph zone in the village centre.

I am pleased to report that I have now received the detailed designs for the scheme, which includes the installation of six speed tables at the following locations: at the pelican crossing outside Alderley Edge School for Girls, at the pelican crossing near “Running Bear” on London Road, at the pelican crossing between Stevens Street & Brown Street on London Road, adjacent to the de Trafford Arms on Congleton Road, at the pelican crossing near Alderley Edge Community Primary School on Ryleys Lane and near the entrance to The Ryleys School.

In addition, red textured road surfacing will be added with 20mph roundels painted on the road surface at the railway bridge on Wilmslow Road/London Road, as well as on Congleton Road on the approach to the junction with Beechfield Road. Cheshire East Highways will shortly be applying to Cheshire East Council for a road closure permit, which must be advertised for 12 weeks prior to the scheme's implementation. 

The scheme itself is estimated to take four weeks to implement, with the installation estimated for early February 2023. The scheme is being funded through s.106 contributions raised on historic developments in Alderley Edge, rather than through Council Tax; As a reminder, s.106 funds may only be spent on new or upgraded infrastructure and cannot be used to fund routine maintenance.

CHELFORD ROAD CLOSURE IN PLACE FOR SIX WEEKS

As residents may have noticed, Chelford Road is currently closed from the junction with Chorley Hall Lane (Alderley Edge) to the junction with Foden Lane (Chorley). The closure is expected to be in place for up to six weeks and will enable essential works to be carried out to the culvert outside Tanyard Farm.

Tanyard (Smokers Brook) is a mortared masonry arch culvert. An inspection carried out in November 2020 showed that the structure had deteriorated since the last inspection in 2018 with the north elevation, where the arch ring had separated to greater than 25mm, also a large longitudinal fracture was identified. The inspection also highlighted a lack of mortar in the joints throughout the arch barrel.

The works involve taking down the northern headwall (including 1m of the arch) and rebuilding, repointing the southern headwall and entire arch barrel. Whilst the road closure is in place, Cheshire East Highways' maintenance team will be removing the build-up of debris that has accumulated on the footway, to ensure the full width can be used. The works are estimated to be complete within six weeks.