There is still no timescale for when a road damaged by a landslip will reopen.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, has provided an update on the B5470 Macclesfield Road closure

This comes after a petition was launched demanding 'immediate' action, following the extension of the closure permit until the end of 2025.

Councillor Goldsmith said: "Our teams have been working hard to get this road reopened following the large landslip.

"Unfortunately, we cannot simply repair the road.

"We have had to conduct extensive ecology and drainage surveys to understand how to create a secure platform for the new road to sit on.

"Other technical investigations will also take place over the coming weeks, which will then allow us to design the engineering solution needed to reinstate the road. 

 "Once we finalise this, we will then give the timescales for rebuilding and reopening the road.

"This is why we have extended the necessary road closure permit, so we have the time and space needed to undertake these important works. It also means no other work will happen nearby, minimising further disruption."

The road has been shut since January (Credit: Nub News)

Macclesfield Road has been closed since January, when the embankment supporting the road collapsed with part of carriageway.

Bollington resident Keith Nixon set up the petition on Change.org on Tuesday (May 13).

Since then, it has been signed by more than 3,000 people.

Mr Nixon said: "I have seen firsthand how this closure has disrupted daily life, causing longer commutes, increased travel costs, and a sharp decline in foot traffic to local businesses.

"It's not just an inconvenience, it's a significant barrier that is affecting the economic vitality and social well-being of our community."

READ MORE: Petition launched as B5470 closure extended until end of 2025

Councillor Goldsmith confirmed that due to the nature of the work required, there is no option but to keep the road closed.

He said: "Normally the months of detailed engineering work and co-ordination needed for a complex project like this goes unseen, while the road is still in use.

"However, the sudden nature of this landslip means all this work must happen while the road is closed.

"We understand this is frustrating for residents and businesses and we are prioritising the reopening.

"In the meantime, we apologise for the inconvenience and will update our website and X account (@CECHighways) as more information becomes available." 

The closure permit has been extended until the end of 2025 (Credit: Nub News)

Tim Roca, MP for Macclesfield, added: "Like everyone in Macclesfield and our surrounding communities, I am deeply frustrated by the ongoing saga of roadworks - especially on the B5470 Macclesfield Road in Rainow and Mill House Bridge.

"So many people have told me about the impact these are having, and it is totally unacceptable that they have been in place for so long.

"To take action, I met again with senior Highways officers at Cheshire East Council last week to highlight how serious this current situation is and that works need to be expedited as soon as possible.

"I welcome the council's increased sense of urgency and believe they are working to get these roads fully open as soon as they can. The council reiterated that safety is their priority.

"Importantly, I have also secured a parliamentary debate, titled 'the impact of roadworks on communities in Cheshire'.

"I will be raising the urgent need for a resolution directly to the Minister for Roads."