CHESHIRE East Council insists gritting essential Macclesfield and Wilmslow roads remains a priority over the New Year.

The A54 between Bosley and Buxton and the A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton are currently closed due to drifting snow caused by high winds, which have made them "impassable", according to the council. 

The latest CEC statement on road conditions said: "Winter services' officers are constantly monitoring weather forecasts for the Cheshire East area. Further severe weather conditions are expected over the next few days including freezing temperatures and ice.

"Over 700 tonnes of salt has been delivered to the Macclesfield area within the last 24 hours. Further deliveries are expected over the New Year period. Gritting vehicles can also be loaded directly from Winsford salt mine. 

"However, with extremely low temperatures forecast, it should be noted that salt becomes less effective below -5 degrees C." 

The council is advising everyone, whether making a journey by car or by foot, to take extra care at this time and to only make a journey if necessary.

Gwyneth Jones, landlady at The Queen's Arms in Bosley, told the Express that Bosley itself was now clear of snow.

“You can see the snow on the hills and there is still a lot there,” she said. “In Bosley we are absolutely fine – it is when you start climbing towards Buxton it gets bad.

“Police often close The Cat and Fiddle Road. It is an annual thing.”

Pc Brian Gladston from Cheshire Police confirmed this morning that both roads remained closed.

Yesterday, police blocked off the A538 main road into town, just before the Tytherington Shell garage, after a falling tree collapsed onto a electricity cable at 2.20pm.

The Market Place was also fenced off after tiles falling from a shop roof at 12.45pm, endangered shoppers. Police say nobody was injured.