Issue - meetings

Neil Collie and Genni Butler

Genni Butler updated the Forum on the two road schemes in Cheshire East.

Since the public consultation event on the A556 Knutsford to Bowden Improvement Scheme, the Highways Agency had selected a preferred route and junction options.  They had also made a number of changes to the proposed design to accommodate the comments from the pubic.  These included:

·        the de-trunking of the A556 Chester Road to create a more rural local road carrying relatively low traffic flows which would be enhanced by the provision of a separate track for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders;

·        improved crossing facilities for non-motorised uses at Mere Junction and Bucklow Hill Junction;

·        an underpass under the new A556 mainline at Old Hall Lane solely for pedestrians, dismounted horse riders and cyclists;

·        extension of Cherry Tree lane southwards to connect with the de-trunked Chester Road which would open up potential circular journeys using Cherry Tree Road and Rostherne Lanes, allowing north-south journeys past Rostherne Mere without using the trunk road and allowing easier access to the Ashley Toll Ride; and

·        the status of the footpath crossing the M56 via Tom Lane being upgraded to allow use by cyclists as well as pedestrians and would be diverted to join the re-modelled Bowdon Junction.

The Crewe Green Link Road was a proposed relief road between Weston Road/University Way roundabout at the south-eastern edge of Crewe and the roundabout on the A500 to the south of Crewe.  The scheme was being developed by Cheshire East Council Highways.   Planning approval had now been given for the scheme.  The Cheshire East Rights of Way Team had held discussions with the developers regarding the design considerations on the proposed shared use pedestrian/cyclist facility along the spine road and spur roads and on the treatment of Basford Footpath No.1 which may be affected by a spur road.