Nantwich traffic problems

Traffic flows in Nantwich are expected to return to normal today after a series of emergencies caused delays.

The most serious bottleneck was caused yesterday morning when Scottish Power Networks set up temporary lights on Hospital Street, where crews were restoring electricity supplies after a power outage.

This coincided with hold-ups caused by an overturned tractor on the A500/A51 Newcastle Road close to the Cheerbrook roundabout.

Meanwhile, United Utilities were working at the Sainsbury's roundabout to complete repairs to a burst water main.

And, also on Tuesday, Cheshire East Highways was carrying out emergency repairs to a gulley on the A51 near Hurleston, which had to be completed immediately because it posed a potential danger to traffic.

More delays were caused during the morning rush on Wednesday when the A51 had to be closed between the Bluestone traffic lights and the Reaseheath College roundabout because of a broken-down HGV. The road was reopened at 10.40am.

Gary Mallin, Cheshire East Highways Network Manager, said: "The problems on Tuesday were caused by a combination of emergency works and a traffic incident.

"We have been assured by Scottish Power the works on Hospital Street will be completed today (Wednesday, March 25) and have also instructed United Utilities to complete its work today.

"We have also postponed patching work on Crewe Road, which was due to begin today and would have entailed a temporary road closure. This will now take place after the Nantwich Jazz Festival at Easter.

"Also to avoid disruption during the Jazz Festival, work on town centre pavement repairs will be suspended from 5pm on Wednesday, April 1 until 8am on Tuesday, April 7th.

"Although we are carrying out work on improving the traffic lights at Barony Road and Beam Street, this did not exacerbate the problems because we have set up manned, temporary signals which are more responsive to changes in traffic flows.

"We know that drivers in Nantwich had a rotten time yesterday and this morning and we are sorry for the inconvenience caused.

"We hope the public will understand that this was due to circumstances beyond our control and that we are monitoring the situation very closely."

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