Update 11 April 2024

Unfortunately, due to the poor weather conditions this week there have been nights where weather dependent elements of the works, such as road markings, have been unable to proceed

Therefore A57 Manchester Road will be fully closed in BOTH directions tonight to allow the contractor to catch up on these outstanding areas of the works.

It is hoped that this will be the last time the road will need to be closed in ether direction as any remaining works can be completed with narrow lanes. 

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Update 27 March 2024

Why do we need a second set of traffic signals during the works?

As the existing crossover is needed for two-way traffic (turning in and out the village) with the contraflow in place, there is not sufficient width for two lines of vehicles in the available space and especially so for any larger vehicles like the buses or deliveries to/from the village pubs and shop. 

Without the signals it would be difficult for any larger vehicles like buses to join the contraflow, going Warrington bound, and it was felt that the lights would be needed to ensure that there is enough room for buses, etc. to manoeuvre safely into the narrow lane (for example if a vehicle stopped too close to the crossover going Manchester bound then a larger vehicle might not be able to make the turn).

When vehicles are joining normally, they only need to cross the line of traffic going Manchester bound and then there is opportunity for a pause to check the road is clear before joining the traffic going Warrington bound, with the contraflow in place any drivers joining would have to ensure that both lanes were clear before attempting to pull out, including that no vehicles were turning in, or else there could be issues with through traffic having to brake sharply in the narrow lanes, or not leaving enough room for vehicles to turn safely. Also, when the crossover is being used normally it  is only for traffic in one direction, without the signals being there to keep the crossover clear traffic wanting to head towards Warrington would queue through the crossover (as it can normally) and if that traffic did not keep left then it would prevent any traffic in the Manchester bound lane turning in to the village.

Consideration was given to having those traffic signals manually controlled and to only allow buses through in a Warrington Bound direction but this would be difficult to manage and could end up with vehicles doing U-turns in the junction or speeding down Birch Road, and other ‘back’ roads, upon finding they cannot get through, and of course someone would have to stand there from before 6 in the morning until the last bus at around 11:20 at night, and this would have to be done every day & night the contraflow is in place and the buses are running too.

An additional benefit of the traffic signals will be to help to enforce the 20mph speed limit that is needed because of the narrow lanes and especially for larger vehicles needing to drive slowly or else there could be issues with them knocking the traffic cylinders out and creating a hazard for all road users.

It is hoped that the above explanation provides the information needed as to the use of the second set of signals and why they are needed at all times whilst the contraflow is in place.

The works are proceeding well to programme on the Manchester bound side of the A57 and, weather permitting, the contraflow will start to be lifted with a full road closure next Thursday (4th) and continuing with a Warrington bound closure of Friday night.

Why do the contractors not work at weekends?

As the majority of our planned major resurfacing scheme takes place between 7pm and 1am we do not plan road works at weekends to give residents living close to the scheme a brief respite from any noise and disruption that the resurfacing might cause. 

Also many of the contractors are often committed to carrying out works for other bodies (e.g. National Highways, Welsh Government) on the motorway network and other major routes across the Northwest and North Wales. In order to have the resources available at weekends we need to arrange with the contractors months in advance so that they can ensure that all their supply chain is also online at those times (e.g. asphalt supply plants, disposal sites for road planings, etc.).

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Update 22 March 2024

With regard to traffic through the village it is of course disappointing that a significant number of drivers are ignoring the road signs and following their satnavs, (including HGVs ignoring the 7.5T weight limits on the roads too) and we have been in discussions with the contractor about how best to minimise the through traffic using the village, and how to minimise full road closures for the remainder of the scheme.

There were no works on Tuesday night whist the traffic management was being reset, and the A57 was open Warrington bound for the last two nights to hopefully reduce some of the traffic impact on the village.

We will be utilising a contraflow and temporary traffic signals on the A57 for the next few weeks to reduce the need for a road closure whilst the road works continue however full road closures will be necessary to put this in place and to take it off again. This contraflow will utilise 3- and 4-way traffic signals to maintain access to the village, as well as over 1300 road studs and over 100 traffic cylinders, and there will be some daytime working whilst the contraflow is in place to catch back the nights lost making significant changes to the traffic management.

There will be no planned working over the bank holiday weekend although the contraflow will still be in place.

The planned traffic management for the duration of the scheme is detailed in the bale below:

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From Monday 11 March 2024 works will be taking place to resurface A57 Manchester Road from Warburton Bridge Road to the junction at Glazebrook Lane.

The road and its side roads will be closed, in Phases as shown on the information plan, between 7:00pm and 1:00am Monday to Friday (Saturday morning) for up to 6 weeks to undertake the works safely.

There are no planned works between Phases 1 & 2 due to the proposed development in that area.

All roads will be fully open to traffic outside these times.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times during the works.

Vehicular access will be under the control of the Contractor on site.

Vehicles parked on the road or footway obstructing the works may be removed.

Information on bus diversions will be posted at stops ahead of the start of the scheme.

Residents needing access to closed sections of road (phases 1 & 2) should speak to the contractor as they will provide as much access as is safe to do so, however there will be times, for example when the road surface is being removed or relaid when there may be no access for several hours.

Cones, barriers and signs are there for a reason - to protect our workers from danger and to keep the public safe. We urge drivers to pay close attention to safety when driving near roadworks.