Cheshire East Highways will be installing a new shared footpath along the B5358 Wilmslow Road, between Spath Lane (southern junction with B5358 Wilmslow Road) and Clay Lane. New parking bays will also be installed on Spath Lane between the junction of Henbury Road and Ollerton Road.
Works will include the widening of the footway for cyclists and pedestrians on Wilmslow Road, as well as resurfacing works, the installation of new drainage, kerbing, refreshed road markings, improved controlled pedestrian crossing and the installation of additional traffic calming measures.
The aim of the scheme is to improve the existing walking and cycling route along the B5358 Wilmslow Road, Handforth. This will be from the village centre in the area of The Paddock, northwards, and will link in with existing provision alongside the A555. New parking bays will also be installed on a section of Spath Lane.
Wilmslow Road
The Wilmslow Road works are programmed to start on 25 September 2023 for 10 weeks. The works will include lane closures, temporary traffic signals and a road closure as in phases as detailed below:
Phase 1
- Two-way temporary traffic signals on B5358 Wilmslow Road between St Mary's Methodist Church and the junction with Kingston Road. 25 September 2023 –09 October 2023
- Road closure on Kingston Road at junction with B5358 Wilmslow Road. 10 October 2023 – 16 October 2023
Phase 2
- Northbound lane closure from Hanna Court to Clay Lane Roundabout. 17 October 2023 – 26 October 2023
Phase 3
- Two-way temporary traffic signals between Spath Road and Hanna Court. 27 October 2023 – 09 November 2023
Phase 4
- Three-way temporary traffic signals on Wilmslow Road between the junction of Kingston Road and Spath Lane. 10 November 2023 –1 December 2023
- Road closure on Spath Lane (top junction between Kingston Road and roundabout)
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said "We understand that there is no right time to work in such a key location and this scheme has been carefully planned to minimise disruption."
Spath Lane
The Spath Lane works will start on Monday 23 October until Wedneday 8 November 2023.
Works will include the installation of new parking bays between the junction of Henbury Road and Ollerton Road. A road closure will be in place during these works.
Commenting on the works "Councillor John Smith said "The installation of off-road parking spaces on the bend of Spath Lane in Handforth was first mooted in 2016. This installation was to improve road safety on the Spath Lane estate funded by S106 monies. We are pleased now that this is going ahead in October.
"An additional cycle lane will be installed from St. Mary's to Clay Lane with plans to link up to the north bound cycle lane. This has been funded by Stockport Council in mitigation for the building of the A555 and work is planned to commence 25th September 2023."
He added "A cycle lane from Handforth to Wilmslow, funded by the government's Active Travel Scheme will be installed commencing Spring 2024.
"All these improvements will unfortunately cause some disruption, but will be welcome improvements to the health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents."
A safe pedestrian walkway will be in place for the duration of the scheme, cyclists access will be maintained and a suitable diversion route will be provided for the duration of the road closures.
Access to properties and businesses within the traffic management and closure will be facilitated where possible however, residents may experience short delays.
All businesses in the area will remain open as usual for the duration of the works and access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.
All roadworks, closures and diversions are displayed online on the Council's roadworks map
