Work to fix the B5470 Macclesfield Road in Rainow will begin by the end of the month.

This comes nearly ten months after the embankment supporting the road collapsed together with part of the carriageway following 'heavy and consistent' rainfall in January.

The length of the closure has aggravated many local residents, who feel this should have been resolved sooner.

However, Cheshire East Council say a series of 'complex' tasks had to be carried out before the repairs could begin.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of the council's highways and transport committee, said: "After considerable heavy rain, the hillside collapsed and took the road with it.

"Things like this are beyond our control and there was nothing the council could do to prevent it.

"However, we have been working hard to overcome the very complex challenges it created and to deliver the large civil engineering project needed to rebuild the hillside and reinstate the road."

The B5470 Macclesfield Road has been shut since January (Credit: CEC)

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 Over the past few months, Cheshire East has contracted specialist engineers, drilled 20m bore holes to understand the structure of the work, conducted ecology and drainage surveys and liaised with landowners and the High Peak National Park Authority.

The council then identified six possible construction methods for the repair before selecting the best option based on cost, speed and environmental impact.

Councillor Goldsmith continued: "We have been working with High Peak National Park Authority to ensure the work is sympathetic to this area of outstanding natural beauty.

"Most of this work has all been going on behind the scenes. However, we can now get on site and start the re-build.

"It will mean working during the winter, which in the Peak District with its unpredictable weather and shorter daylight hours is not ideal. However, doing this is the fastest way to get the road reopened. Our teams are experienced in managing winter construction, so we will ensure the work is carried out safely and efficiently."

Works to prepare the site will start this week, with the repairs scheduled to get underway on October 27.

It will take approximately 20 weeks – completing by mid-March next year and costing around £1.6m.

The works will include reinforcing the embankment, which will be seeded over to blend in with the surroundings, a full replacement of the road drainage system, and widening the footprint of both the embankment and the road to ensure long-term stability and the safety of road users.

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The B5470 Macclesfield Road will remain shut while the repairs are completed (Credit: Nub News)

Councillor Goldsmith said: "I'd like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience on this.

"We recognise how important the B5470 is to them, which is why we have committed £1.6m to re-build the road as quickly, safely and as sympathetic to the environment as possible.

"Thankfully, the end is now in sight for them."

The B5470 remains closed to vehicles but will be passable to cyclists and pedestrians.

A diversion route will be in operation, which is part of the council's winter gritting routes.