LONG delays and frustration for commuter drivers began this week with the start of repair work on the A556.
The 1.5 miles of worn-out A556 Chester Road between the A49/A556 Oakmere Crossroads and the Round Tower in Sandiway, will be resurfaced and strengthened over the next three months.
The A556 treatment length includes four side-road junctions and three sets of crossroads between the traffic signal-controlled Oakmere Crossroads and the Round Tower, as well as a busy urban dual carriageway section on the west side of the Round Tower.
County Council bosses say the work will take place in 26 ‘traffic management’ phases in a bid to cut down on tailbacks and disruption.
The A556 dual carriageway reconstruction will be completed during the first six weeks.
The A556 single carriageway works, from Oakmere Crossroads to Cockpit Lane, will also be undertaken during the same period and will continue until completion in April, or earlier.
Resurfacing in the vicinity of the A49/A556 Oakmere Crossroads will be programmed for weekends, as will the reconstruction of the A556 between Blakemere Craft Centre and Sandington Drive.
Separate closures of the following A556 Chester Road junctions will be necessary: Weaverham Road; School Lane; Dalefords Lane; and Norley Road. Partial closures of Sandington Drive; Kennel Lane; Cockpit Lane; Pool Lane; and the entrance to Blakemere Craft Centre will also be required.
County Councillor Eveleigh Moore Dutton, Executive member for Highways and Transportation called for communities to show patience. She said, “The County Council recognises these temporaryrestrictions will have an impact on traffic flows in and around the works and diversion routes. These scheduled works have been programmed to be carried out to miss the busy run-up to Christmas and to coincide with the February school half-term holiday period to minimise disruption.”
