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Major highway to be closed for roadworks scheme

Charlotte Cox
30/ 7/2008

DRIVERS and businesses should prepare themselves for traffic chaos as the A523 is set to close for major roadworks.

A carriageway strengthening scheme is to take place on the main Bosley route from next Monday (August 4).

The ten-week scheme will affect the road between its junction with the A54 to the county boundary at Hug Bridge.

In order to complete the £820,000 works safely, the road will be closed for the first four weeks of the scheme between a point 100 metres north of the Tunstall Road junction and the county boundary.

During this period, all through traffic will be diverted along the A53 and A54 via Buxton.

Businesses along the A523 will be open as usual, and residents will retain access to their homes.

The road will be open for the remaining six weeks of the scheme, when work will be carried out using temporary traffic signals.

Jean Andrews, landlady of the Harrington Arms, on the A523, said: "The closure is after us, but the signs will be before so it could affect us. It will affect passing trade for all the shops along here.

"And after the first four weeks, when they put the traffic lights in, by that time people might have found another route and not bother coming through."

Cheshire county councillor Barrie Hardern said: "Closing the road is not a decision we have taken lightly. We came to this conclusion only following an exhaustive examination of all the alternative options.

"We fully appreciate the disruption closure will cause, however, it is the only option available to us which will allow the works to be carried out safely and within the resources of the contractor and the allocation of funding."

He said they had deliberately scheduled the closure during the summer holidays to minimise diverted traffic volume.

"We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused, but I would emphasise that this scheme is vital to ensuring that the A523 continues to be a safe and well-maintained route," Coun Hardern added.

"The co-operation of local residents, businesses, motorists and other road users is greatly appreciated."