At long last, after months of delay, the first phase of the North West Crewe Package works on the A530 between Pyms Lane and Smithy Lane has now finally been completed, and this section of the road reopened on Saturday 18 February.
Last June, Cllrs Margaret Simon (Wistaston), Rachel Bailey (Audlem) and Patrick Redstone (Odd Rode) wrote an open letter to the CEx of Cheshire East Council following the closure of this strategic route as part of this project. Chaotic diversion arrangements were causing widespread congestion across the wider Crewe and Nantwich area and emergency vehicles were having problems getting to Leighton Hospital. Whilst these issues were eventually mitigated, in October, it was announced that there would be a further 4-month delay due to unexpected problems with utilities infrastructure in this location and poor weather conditions.
The re-opening of the Pym’s Lane to Smithy Lane means that access to the Hospital from the south will now be possible. However, further construction work on a second section of the A530 – between Smithy Lane and Flowers Lane – will begin soon and will involve an initial phase of works under two-way signal control. These works will run from the end of February through to early summer.
This will then be followed by a full road closure of this section of the road for approximately nine weeks to allow the northern junction to be built.
This project is still far from over but it is to be hoped that there are no further problems or delays. The impacts on the wider community have been unexpected, problematic and profound for residents across Crewe and South Cheshire.
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways_and_roads/roadworks/major-proj…
Photo: Cheshire East Council Feb 2023
