The Road's Shut ok?

Motorists ignoring diversion and endangering workmen

By PH Staff / Thursday, 26 February 2004 / Loading comments

Drivers are putting themselves and the lives of road workers at risk as they drive through closed sections of the A556 Chester Road at Bucklow Hill in Cheshire.

A major resurfacing scheme is currently in place and drivers are ignoring the road closures necessary for the work to be completed.

The A556, which is the main route between the M6 north and the M56, is currently closed overnight and all day at weekends while the resurfacing work is being carried out, between the junctions with the A50 at Mere and the M56 Motorway at Junction 8.

Despite extensive pre-construction publicity and clearly signed diversion routes, drivers are ignoring the closures and trying to force their way through the roadworks.

The work started on Friday 6 February and is due to be completed on 4 April. The road is closed from 8.00pm until 6.00am Monday to Thursday and 8.00pm Friday until 6.00am Monday morning.

Highways Agency Project Manager Freda Rashdi said:

"I cannot stress too strongly how dangerous it is for motorist s to ignore these roadworks closures. We are working with the police to try and ensure the signed diversion route is followed and motorist s who try and drive through the road works are dealt with appropriately .

"Lorry drivers using GPS systems to try and find a quicker alternative route have also been causing problems, by ending up on totally unsuitable minor roads .

"The diversion route is specifically chosen to be able to carry the volume and type of heavy goods traffic that use the motorway network and it is essential that motorist s use these routes rather than try and find their own way ."

The £1.3 million resurfacing is being carried out at night and at weekends to minimise disruption to motorist s

The road, which carries up to 40,000 vehicles a day, is a key link in the strategic road network linking Birmingham and Manchester and is also an important local road providing access to Manchester Airport and local tourist attractions such as Tatton Park.

Access is being kept open to local residents and the emergency services but is being abused by motorists.

Figures show that 11 people were killed in Highways Agency road works between October 2000 and February 2002 by moving traffic. This equates to a 1 in 1000 chance of being killed.