MP demands 'real progress' as roadworks cause 'year of misery' for constituents
Macclesfield's MP has called for action following a year of 'misery and disruption' on the roads.
Tim Roca raised the issue of Cheshire roadworks at Westminster Hall this morning (May 21).
He highlighted the lengthy closure of the B5470 Macclesfield Road in Rainow and the traffic lights at the A523 Mill House bridge in Adlington.
"Over the past year, that (road) network has become a source of constant frustration: what should be routine journeys have turned into a daily ordeal and a monotonous misery," said Mr Roca.
"Week in and week out, I find myself fighting to get basic roadworks resolved.
"I cannot quite believe that one year on in one place and six months on in another, the works are still unresolved—one year of disruption, one year of misery.
"That is what brings me here today."
He added: "Confidence among my constituents that the issue will be resolved in a few weeks' time is very low because too little has happened too slowly and with insufficient communication.
"Expected completion dates keep getting pushed back and back with no accountability, sincere apology or explanation."
READ MORE: Council provides update on Macclesfield Road closure as petition hits 3,000 signatures
The topic of roadworks was brought to the forefront after the B5470 closure was extended until the end of 2025.
It has been shut since January following a collapse of the carriageway and the supporting embankment.
This prompted Bollington resident Keith Nixon to launch a petition, which has been signed 3,000 times in little over a week.
Mr Roca referenced a few particular case studies and consequences of the closure, including wear on tear on side roads, increased emissions from sitting traffic and the impact on journey times and businesses.
"I could go on and on—certainly, my inbox is full of stories like these," said Mr Roca.
"When the things we rely on every day go wrong, the impact is huge.
"That is why I have been working closely with the council, feeding back these stories.
"I am grateful for the new sense of urgency that the highways team has—particularly since last week, when I called this debate—and I appreciate that things have to be made safe.
"These roadworks need to close. We need real progress for my constituents, and I am grateful that the Minister is present and will take the time to respond to the debate."
The minister in question was Lilian Greenwood, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Future of Roads.
She explained that the Government are providing £500 million of extra funding for highway maintenance.
On top of this, Cheshire East will receive more than £2 million from the integrated transport block and more than £7.7 million through the local transport grant.
Mrs Greenwood said: "As my honourable friends have said, the appalling state of local roads in Cheshire is an indictment of the previous Government's failure to invest in the vital national infrastructure that all our constituents rely on.
"It is frankly unforgiveable to allow our local road network to crumble and fail."
She added: "We want everyone to have the local roads that they deserve, rather than those that they inherited from the previous Government and previous local administrations, which were simply not adequate.
"I am committed to doing all I can to ensure that my honourable friend's constituents see that improvement in the months and years ahead."
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