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Update 6 December 2024
Pepper Street will be fully open this afternoon to traffic from all directions.
Later on after the 'school run', to avoid confusion, Longbutt Lane will be closed to traffic with barriers, and the traffic signals, cones, signs, etc. removed including along the diversion route.
Signs are being erected at the junction of Grammar School Road/Higher Lane & on Scholars Green Lane to warn drivers that there is no access to Pepper Street.
Pepper Street will close again on 20 January 2025 to complete the scheme, with Longbutt Lane being reopened at that time for access.
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Update 19 November 2024
As you will be aware, the carriageway reconstruction and sett paving works are progressing very well and we are sure you will agree, the paving is looking good.
This work is very weather dependent as the key elements with the sett paving are cement based. Unfortunately, due to several weeks of poor weather, the scheduled completion date has inevitably been delayed.
For this reason, we have reviewed the programme. Due to the on- street activity, and shopping on the build up to Christmas and into the New Year, we feel it best to temporarily shut down the works and to return in the New Year to complete the works and to ensure festivities are maintained and shopping allowed to progress without obstructions.
A summary of key timescales to completion of works are outlined below;
• 18 November – Continuation of the works to lay the setts from the carpark to halfway across the next access, this includes the full closure of the carpark for up to 5 days.
• 6 December (Friday) – Clear site to reopen Pepper Street to all traffic. All traffic management, plant and materials will be removed to the compound or off site, and the temporary access through Longbutt Lane will be closed to traffic during this period, with the traffic signals and diversion being removed.
• 20 January (Monday) – Works to restart in the final section for up to 6 weeks, (weather permitting). Pepper Street will be closed again to traffic this time at the bottom of the road at its junction with Rectory Lane. The temporary access via Longbutt Lane will be reopened to traffic as part of the alternative route as previously.
• 3 March – Works to reclose Longbutt Lane.
Please accept our apology for any inconvenience caused during the undertaking of this project, and we would like to thank you for your patience and co-operation during the works so far and during the remaining time to complete the scheme.
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Update 20 September 2024
As you can see on site, the contractor is progressing well with the laying of reclaimed setts on Pepper Street.
For those able to attend the pre-scheme drop-in session, we explained that this is a very time-consuming operation and is very much weather dependent. Although poor weather has had a delaying impact on the works, we are doing our best to complete works to a very high standard.
The sett laying is a very specialised skill requiring the sorting of setts for appropriate size prior to laying to ensure compatible widths, to enable the linear bond to be achieved. Specialist materials are needed for bedding and jointing of setts. Wet weather will severely affect the bedding material and jointing in the same way as brickwork in a wall.
We are regularly checking the traffic management and alternative routes. We have listened to concerns from residents and have continued to amend the traffic management to improve effectiveness. We now have the right balance, but this will continue to be monitored throughout the works.
We do appreciate that a major project of this nature will be disruptive. However, we assure all residents and businesses that we are constantly checking works and look to improve current practice where possible to ensure completion of works as soon as possible.
We would like to thank everyone for their continued support and patience during the progress of your environmental improvement project on Pepper Street.
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Update 13 August 2024
Following on from reported issues with the traffic signals at Orchard Avenue/Scholars Green Road, if there should be any issues again (not working, damaged, out of phase etc.) or diversion signs, cones, barriers moved please report these directly to Core Highways who are the company looking after all the traffic management for the scheme.
They can be contacted on 0330 043 3030 at any time or by email to [email protected].
The traffic management is checked daily by the operatives for Core Highways.
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Update 1 August 2024
It has been a slower that hoped for start to the laying of the setts, due to a number of issues such as the wrong machinery & equipment being delivered, members of the team held up on other jobs, and the weather, which, whilst being great for sitting in the garden, is not so good for anyone carrying out road works and especially having to set out and lay very heavy stone setts.
The contractors are intending to start earlier in the morning (about 7 to 7:30am) to take advantage of the cooler mornings when the weather is like it is at the moment, and we apologise for any inconvenience this might cause.
Now the contractors have had opportunity to establish themselves on site with the working area, materials and constraints, they are confident that they will be able to make use of the good weather and catch up on progressing the scheme.
Please also be aware that whilst there is a 'soft' closure on Pepper Street at the moment as the works progress next week the road closure will be extended and there will be no through route from Lymm village up Pepper Street and all traffic will have to use the diversion via Longbutt Lane.
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Update 23 July 2024
Despite a couple of nights work lost to poor weather and the General Election the programme is still on track for the reconstruction works to be completed this week.
Today/tonight contractors for Cadent will also be on site installing a new gas connection to the new takeaway opening soon.
As programmed Pepper Street will be fully closed from next Monday 29 July to start the process of taking out the temporary asphalt running layer and then laying all the reclaimed stone setts. This will mean that Pepper Street will be fully closed to all through traffic until all the setts have been laid and the access via Orchard Avenue, Longbutt Lane and Scholars Green Lane will be open at all times.
Access to the carpark will be maintained as much as is possible during the works, from one direction or the other, however there will be at least one week when the car park will be closed due to the works being right at the entrance/exit. Once the date for the closure of the carpark is confirmed signs will be erected on site to warn of this.
Some excavated setts have been left at the side of the Village Hall on the footway if anyone would like one or two as a souvenir - please be aware they are very heavy and care must be taken when picking them up or carrying them.
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Update 4 July 2024
There are no planned works/closures on Pepper Street today/tonight due the the General Election.
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Update 24 June 2024
Works have been taking place on Longbutt Lane to cut back overhanging vegetation, remove the gate, gate posts, bollards and sign/sign post so that the access road is wider to accommodate everyone during the works on Pepper Street. The next phase will be to overlay the existing road surface which will make it easier for large vehicles, like the bin wagons, and vehicles with trailers (e.g. caravans) to drive in and out from Scholars Green Lane more easily.
This week the contractors will start to set up the site including a compound/storage area at the western end of Rose Bank, and carry out any additional surveys and test pits needed ahead of the start of the reconstruction works from 1 July.
There will be no works on 4 July due to the General Election.
The reconstruction will include a temporary asphalt running surface which will be removed as the setts are laid from 29 July.
Information summary boards about the scheme are available to view at the Village Hall.
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Update 11 June 2024
Please note that when Pepper Street is closed the access at Longbutt Lane onto Scholars Green Lane will always be open for vehicular traffic to get in or out of the area.
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Press Release 11/04/2023
Council sets out next steps for Pepper Street refurbishment
Tuesday, 11 April 2023
The council has thanked residents for helping to shape plans for the refurbishment of the stone setts on Pepper Street in Lymm, and has laid out next steps.
Pepper Street, which sits within a conservation area in Lymm village centre, contains a sett paved area, which is in poor condition. In addition, the existing inspection chamber covers and gully gratings on the street are of an older style and unsuitable for modern traffic.
Almost 250 people took part in a consultation last autumn, aimed at getting local views on the best refurbishment options for the stone setts. The majority of respondents said they would like to see the road reconstructed with reclaimed setts.
The council is now moving forward to the detailed planning stage for the refurbishment project. This will take some months, as the reclaimed setts – of the right type and size – will need to be sourced.
As part of this planning stage, the council must also liaise with utilities companies to ensure disruption is minimised as much as possible when the work is carried out, and utilities will need time to undertake any essential works before the refurbishment project begins.
Other considerations for the council are maintaining access to the car park, ensuring important community on-street activities – such as Lymm Transport Day – can go ahead as usual, and planning for as much of the heavy work as possible to take place during school holidays.
Cabinet member for transportation, highways and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who shared their views on the refurbishment of the stone setts on Pepper Street.
“Residents made it clear that their preferred option is for the look and feel of the surface to be retained with reclaimed setts, and it’s this option we’ll be moving forward with.
“We are keen to carry out the refurbishment works as soon as we can, to prevent further deterioration and ensure the longevity of the surface. However, this section of Pepper Street is an important part of Lymm’s conservation area, and it’s vital we take the time to get it right.
“We thank everyone for their patience while we proceed to the detailed planning stage for the project which, once complete, will bring big long term benefits for the area, providing a high quality surface for many years to come.”
Update 13/10/22
The consultation period has now closed.
Results of the consultation will be shared in due course.
PEPPER STREET REFURBISHMENT
Update 05/10/22
Supporting documents for the consultation are now available to view.
There is also an E-card to complete with your preferred option and any comments you may have, please email this to [email protected], please put 'Pepper Street' in the title of your email so that it can be easily identified, thank you.
The closing date for submission of E-cards is midnight on 12 October 2022
As you may be aware we are considering a number of options in order to reconstruct the cobbled section of Pepper Street that is in a poor condition.
There will be a drop in session at Lymm Village Hall, on Pepper Street, from
2pm to 7pm on Wednesday 5 October 2022.
Drawings showing the proposed options, and other supporting information, will be on display, and we will be seeking the views of residents and businesses on these by the completion of a postcard.
For those not able to make the drop in session the information on display will be made available at www.warrington.gov.uk/pepper-street-lymm
on 5 October. An E-Card will be available to complete and return to us by email by midnight on 12 October 2022
Comments received regarding the project will be considered and the final outcome will be made available to residents and businesses via the above web link and displayed on the Village Hall notice board.
The works are programmed to take place from June/July 2023.
As we are considering a future project on Pepper Street, it may be necessary to undertake some invasive site investigation to identify underground services etc.
For this reason, we have made provision for a road closure should the need arise due to the narrowness of the road.
A road closure requires special legal orders and can take some considerable time to arrange. This includes the posting of a notice on site, and advertising the order in the local press, as part of this lengthy process.
To be clear, it is unlikely that a road closure will be required. However if it is necessary then this may be less than one day and any closure would be in the evening (7pm to midnight) to minimise inconvenience.
The period of time stated on the order is misleading but means that the road closure may take place any time within the period advertised.
Many apologies any confusion.
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