Cheshire East commits £45m to improve the borough’s roads and transport network

A programme of highways and transport improvements will take place across Cheshire East, over the coming year, backed by significant investment to improve the safety and condition of the borough’s roads.

Cheshire East Council is investing £45m in a diverse programme of highways and transport improvements in 2026/7. This includes £32m of investment in maintaining roads – £5m more than last year. 

This year’s programme is supported by a £10m local transport grant from central government to the new Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority, which will fund a wide range of transport improvements. The council will also benefit from a £5.18m local bus grant. 

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee, said:

“Residents expect safe, reliable roads and this investment will allow us to address our most pressing maintenance needs, while improving the routes people use every day. 

“We’re focusing on the areas where the benefits will be felt the most, including supporting local bus services and enhancing walking and cycling links – all to make travel safer, more dependable and more accessible.  

“During the winter months, when the weather can be very challenging, it’s harder for us to make permanent repairs to our roads – and our immediate focus is of course on road safety. 

“However, the warmer spring and summer months allow for a wider range of techniques to be used for improvement works on our roads, which is the most cost-effective way to enhance driving conditions for the greatest number of road users.” 

Over the next 12 months, the council will:

• Invest in improving road conditions across Cheshire East – with a focus on safety and on routes that deliver the greatest benefit to local communities.  
• Complete a programme of treatment works on several major A-roads, including the A50 Knutsford Road in Holmes Chapel, the A534 Wrexham Road in Wrenbury, and the A500 Newcastle Road in Haslington. Preparation work began earlier this month and will continue through the summer.  
• Finalise phase two, including resurfacing, of a new 1.5 mile walking and cycling route between Wilmslow town centre and Handforth, running along the B5358 Manchester Road. The project will provide a segregated route, improved junction safety and a new pedestrian crossing at Station Road. 
• Resurfacing of Flag Lane in Crewe from the junction of Wistaston Road and Alton Street. 
• Completion of the complex road reconstruction on the B5470 Macclesfield Road in Rainow in early summer, which was closed due to a collapse following a significant amount of rainfall. 
• Replacement of the bridge over Waterless Brook along the B5391 Pickmere Lane in Tabley, which had to be demolished following its collapse. 

Cllr Goldsmith added:

“Our priority is keeping people moving and strengthening the resilience of our transport network. While this year’s investment is substantial, we know that funding remains a challenge, particularly for roads maintenance. 

“We will continue to make the case for better and long-term government investment in our highways and will ensure that the resources we do have are used in the right place, at the right time.” 

All annual planned highway schemes for 2026-2027 are viewable on the council’s online interactive mapping system at: 

cheshireeast.gov.uk/roadrepairprogramme