Macclesfield: Residents fury over Broken Cross roundabout replacement
Macclesfield residents are furious work is due to start on a highways scheme they fear will increase congestion and worsen pollution in an already extremely poor air quality area.
Work is scheduled to start on Tuesday (August 30) to replace the Broken Cross roundabout with traffic lights to mitigate the impact of increased traffic levels from new housing to be built on two former Green Belt sites.
Locals thought the scheme was dead in the water following strong opposition from residents, nearby businesses and local councillor Nick Mannion in 2018, and say there has been no consultation since.
One resident, who contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), said: "This could have a major environmental impact, worsening air quality due to standing queues caused by delays at traffic lights.
"We have been provided with no plans for this and the developers, Bellway, appear to have been given total autonomy with no accountability."
Ward councillor Nick Mannion (Lab) is demanding a public meeting be held as soon as possible so residents can put all their concerns to the council's highways officers, developer Bellway, who is funding the scheme, and HA Civils, the developer's contractor.
Cllr Mannion told the LDRS that, after the housing development had been approved in 2018, councillors had expected the highways proposal would go to the strategic planning board as a separate matter, but it hadn't because the developer had stumped up the cash to fund the entire scheme.
"Up to now there has been no publicity or public consultation or information whatsoever with regard to this scheme that has been effectively agreed between a housing developer and highway engineers with no councillor input at all," said the Macclesfield councillor.
He said when he heard four weeks ago it was going ahead he was told the contractor had informed residents by letter. He said many hadn't received a letter so he posted it on social media.
"I am yet to be convinced that the scheme will reduce the existing unlawfully high levels of air pollution," said Cllr Mannion.
"At the moment it's an AQMA because the existing pollution is unlawfully high, and nothing of what I've seen reassures me that the result will improve the situation. In fact, with the additional traffic, I fear it may make the situation worse."
Cllr Mannion also said the council's highways officers were relying on data collected several years ago 'so that concerns me'.
He added: "It used to be traffic lights there, then it became a roundabout, now it's going back to traffic lights.
"I've received complaints from residents that the scheme, as proposed, may not be compliant with regard to safety aspects for cyclists and wheelchair users."
He said details of the scheme had only just started to emerge.
"The communication to both elected members and members of the public who are having this very major highways project has been extremely poor," he said.
Cheshire East Council posted the following a lengthy notice on their website on Thursday to inform residents of the works, before slightly revising it on Friday.
It reads as follows:
"Contractors operating on behalf of developers have informed Cheshire East Council they are now in a position to proceed with the agreed scheme to remove the roundabout at Broken Cross, Macclesfield and replace with a signal-controlled junction.
"The works are being undertaken by HA Civils on behalf of the developers, Bellway Homes, to increase capacity at the junction as part of the development of a housing site on a parcel of land between Chelford Road and Whirley Road. These works have been approved as part of the planning application. A further additional access road will be created from the development onto the A537.
"Work to remove the roundabout and install signals is due to begin on 30 August and is in accordance with the agreed planning conditions set out for the housing development on land between Chelford Road and Whirley Road (Planning Ref: 17/4277M) and approved by the council's strategic planning board on 4 September 2018.
"This followed consultation with ward members, residents and businesses as part of the planning process. The introduction of traffic lights in place of the existing roundabout is to mitigate the highway impact from additional housing in the area and additional levels of traffic.
"The works are delivered through a section 278 agreement with the highways authority. The Broken Cross scheme must be completed to the council's satisfaction prior to any of the new homes being occupied.
"Cheshire East Council is fully aware of the impact these works will mean for people travelling in and out of Macclesfield during this construction project, and we urge drivers to follow any recommended diversionary routes where possible. The council is also aware of the concerns local residents have about the scheme and are in discussions with HA Civils about their community engagement and communication plans.
"The first element of work, using traffic signals, is due to be completed by 8 November. Some further work will continue in Pexhill Road, until the 17 November, followed by two closures in the New Year involving Pexhill Road, Gawsworth Road and Falibroome Road.
"The council has also taken on board the concerns of residents relating to air quality due to increased levels of traffic arising from the related housing developments. Broken Cross is an air quality management area, and the council will monitor air quality in this locality in the usual way."
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