Macclesfield MP calls for stop to 'chaos' at Broken Cross roundabout
On the day Liz Truss was elected Prime Minister and became the new boss of Macclesfield's MP, David Rutley has a local issue on his mind.
The Conservative for Macclesfield since 2010 has called on Cheshire East Council and Bellway Homes to end the confusion and chaos linked to works improving Broken Cross roundabout.
The work commenced on August 30 is planned to continue for 22 weeks. Already, drivers are taking up to 40 minutes just to pass through the area which will be replaced with traffic lights.
On top of this, hundreds of new homes are being built in nearby development called Weaver Green.
Broken Cross residents and road users are very concerned about the congestion that is already being experienced and is likely to get a lot worse as pupils return to school today (Monday September 5).
In a statement released by the 61-year-old and his team, Mr Rutley spoke about last weekend's heated meeting at Macclesfield Town Hall.
"David urged the Council and the developer, Bellway Homes, to significantly improve communications and signage for both local residents and road users on plans for the roundabout," they revealed.
"He expressed strong concerns about the pattern of poor communication linked to the related Chelford Road developments over several years. This has extended to the plans for the latest junction improvements, including the planned new permanent traffic lights, which had remained unclear to local Cheshire East Councillors, Henbury Parish Council, the MP and concerned residents, even after the works had commenced.
"The MP also called on Bellway Homes and Cheshire East Council to ensure that HA Civils, the contractor for the junction improvements, delivers on the commitment to have the works manned from 7.00am to 7.00pm.
"When David visited the roundabout site last week, and spoke to Mr Mark Le Moignan, owner of Painters Supply [Limited] paint shop located at the junction, it was clear that this commitment was not being honoured and that this was having an impact on the traffic flows at this critical junction. It is vital that the synchronisation of the traffic lights is improved as a priority.
"Another key issue raised at the public meeting was air quality, particularly since Broken Cross is an Air Quality Management Area.
"Local residents living close to the roundabout were very worried about the impact of exhaust fumes from queues of waiting traffic on their health and also the impact on pupils walking to local schools. David pressed Cheshire East Council to take steps to more actively monitor air quality during the works, as well as after they have been completed.
"The controversial housing developments on Chelford Road will eventually lead to over 300 new homes being built off this strategic highway to the west of the town, which is why the Broken Cross junction is being improved.
"However, since projects relating to these sites moved forward, there has been a lack of clarity and poor information about future plans, including the preliminary works, peat extraction and improvements to the junction."
The new homes claim to have an autumn 2022 launching date, and will create new streets off Chelford Road. House prices are to be confirmed.
After the public meeting at Macclesfield Town Hall, David said, "It's time for Cheshire East Council to work with Bellway Homes to get a grip of the situation at the roundabout as improvements are being made over the months ahead.
"It was clear from the public meeting that the communications and signage are inadequate, the works are not being properly manned and that plans have not been thought through on key issues, including the location of bus stops.
"They urgently need to put an end to this shambles."
David Rutley, a Rishi Sunak supporter, declined to respond to Macclesfield Nub News' request for comment about Liz Truss becoming the new Prime Minister and Conservative leader.
Cheshire East Council and Bellway have been contacted for comment.
A female Broken Cross resident told Macclesfield Nub News "Traffic lights have made the situation worse now. The new houses at Henbury will only make it even worse," she said.
"All this upset for residents, so Bellway can make money. To say nothing about the air quality, which is all ready illegal. Safety for school children walking to school should be a important consideration."
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