Bypass to close overnight for up to 2 weeks for safety improvements

by Lisa Reeves

Friday 7^th February 2020

Fri 7^th Feb 2020

The Alderley Edge bypass is due to be closed overnight for two weeks next month to enable Cheshire East Highways to carry out lining works.

The works on the A34 Melrose Way are scheduled to be carried out between Monday 9th March and Sunday 22nd March

The closures will be in place between times 7pm and 6am.

Following a coroner's call for action to be taken by the local authority to prevent further deaths on the Alderley Edge Bypass, Cheshire East Council confirmed they had completed an assessment of the three mile stretch of road and would be carrying out work as a result.

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council, said: "The assessment of the A34 Alderley Edge Bypass (Melrose Way), together with the police, led to the recommendation for the existing hazard centreline marking to be replaced with a hatched hazard centreline marking. This will give a visual carriageway narrowing effect and put greater distance between the two way traffic flow and may heighten driver awareness when considering overtaking manoeuvres."

Tags:: Alderley Edge Bypass, Melrose Way

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Mark Russell

Friday 7^th February 2020 at 5:35 pm

China can build a hospital over a weekend, we can’t paint a few miles of lines for two weeks. Shameful and embarrassing

Vince Chadwick

Friday 7^th February 2020 at 6:15 pm

"A hatched hazard centreline marking". Like the one in Buckingham Road? Here's an idea that could solve two problems for the price of one - encourage parking down both sides of the bypass just like we see in Buckingham Road, by offering a park-and-ride scheme from the bypass to the town centre.

That'd bring the speeds down on the bypass and prevent overtaking as well as easing the parking problem. It might increase the accident rate of course, but they'd only be minor fender-benders as motorists slowly weaved their alternate ways past the parked vehicles.

I wonder if I missed my way in life and should have gone into local government?

Mark Goldsmith

Saturday 8^th February 2020 at 2:00 pm

This is a road closure request but I severely doubt the work will take this long.

Road lining is weather dependent, so I suspect they have asked for a much longer time frame than they actually need.

A two week window means they can ensure there will be a dry spell long enough for them to complete the work.

This road lining gang is booked to do work all over Cheshire East during February and March (Alderley Road included), so a two week window gives them flexibility in their work schedule to accommodate any wet weather changes.

I will ask how many nights work it will actually take and post it when I get an answer.

Cllr Mark Goldsmith
Residents of Wilmslow
Cheshire East & Wilmslow Town Council

Tuesday 11^th February 2020 at 3:01 pm

I have just had confirmation that the work will take around 5 nights, weather permitting.

Jill Brown

Wednesday 12^th February 2020 at 4:04 pm

I hope they look at signage too. As someone who crosses this area regularly signage needs to be more visible. Most people have been used to dual carriageway from M60 upwards and then as you approach the last roundabout, you are concentrating on the traffic crossing, the roundabout itself and the necessary lane chances, then the traffic lights on the alderley side of the roundabout too. The 2 way traffic sign/ single lane is 'hidden' amongst all this driver clutter. Single lane warning signs need to start appearing much earlier and perhaps additional road chevrons on approach- it's TOO LATE after the roundabout

Rev. Sevillia

Wednesday 12^th February 2020 at 6:12 pm

The problem is not in the road markings. The problem lies in people ignoring the road markings, and being arrogant enough to "risk it" - leading to many deaths. The only thing that will stop these arrogant drivers, is some way of preventing overtaking 100%, and a 40 mph speed limit, to remind them that the by pass is not a motorway.
Right now, the overtaking types are heading towards each other, with a possible head on collision of 60 mph plus, and I don't think extra lines in the road, will stop that. I never use it now. Seen too many near misses.
Please stop deleting my comments. Thanks

Malcolm Elliott

Wednesday 12^th February 2020 at 11:03 pm

To repeat what I have said on AlderleyEdge.com

Can the 'spokesperson for Cheshire East Council' please let us know how much this
operation will cost ?
From what I read on the internet these new markings will only 'scare a few numpties into
thinking they cannot overtake'.

These new markings carry no more or greater restrictions than the present markings.

Will some councillor please respond to this and explain EXACTLY what they EXPECT to achieve with the painting of the new centerline markings.

Friday 14^th February 2020 at 5:16 pm

The Highways department have clarified that the work involves:

- Removing the centre line and reflective road studs in four sections,
- Replacing with central hatch markings and red surfacing
- Setting new reflective studs.

For the safety of the contractors the road will be fully closed as they will be working in the centre of the carriageway Therefore, only emergency services will be allowed through, but pedestrians and cyclists can still use the combined paths either side.

Cheshire East Council can only make the road signs and conditions as clear as possible to drivers. It has absolutely no authority whatsoever to police the "numpties" that might ignore them. Only Cheshire Constabulary have enforcement powers to do this.