Cheshire East Council begins major repairs to Rainow Embankment in Macclesfield

Work to fix a large road collapse along the B5470 Macclesfield Road in Rainow will begin by the end of the month.

Cheshire East Council has given an update on work to fix a large part of the embankment supporting the B5470, midway between Ginclough and Kettleshulme, which collapsed along with part of the road after heavy and consistent rainfall in January.

The road remains closed to vehicles for safety reasons but is passable to cyclists and pedestrians.

Before repair works could begin, a series of complex tasks had to be carried out, which included:

• Contracting specialist engineers
• Drilling 20m bore holes to understand the structure of the ground
• Conducting ecology and drainage surveys
• Liaising with landowners and the High Peak National Park Authority
• Identifying six possible construction methods for repair
• Selecting the preferred option based on cost, speed and environmental impact
• Creating detailed drawings of the engineering work required
• Appointing a contractor and securing the start date 

Works to prepare the site will start this week, while the repair work is scheduled to start on 27th October. It will take approximately 20 weeks – completing by mid-March next year and costing around £1.6m.

The works will include reinforcing the embankment, which will be seeded over to blend in with the surroundings, a full replacement of the road drainage system, and widening the footprint of both the embankment and the road to ensure long-term stability and the safety of road users.

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

“After considerable heavy rain, the hillside collapsed and took the road with it. Things like this are beyond our control and there was nothing the council could do to prevent it.

“However, we have been working hard to overcome the very complex challenges it created and to deliver the large civil engineering project needed to rebuild the hillside and reinstate the road.

“We have also been working with High Peak National Park Authority to ensure the work is also sympathetic to this area of outstanding natural beauty.

“Most of this work has all been going on behind the scenes. However, we can now get on site and start the re-build.

“It will mean working during the winter, which in the Peak District with its unpredictable weather and shorter daylight hours is not ideal. However, doing this is the fastest way to get the road reopened. Our teams are experienced in managing winter construction, so we will ensure the work is carried out safely and efficiently.”

Cllr Goldsmith added:

“I’d also like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience on this. We recognise how important the B5470 is to them, which is why we have committed £1.6m to re-build the road as quickly, safely and as sympathetic to the environment as possible. Thankfully, the end is now in sight for them.”

Some pre-construction works will start soon to clear vegetation from where the scaffolding – which will support the temporary pedestrian route – will be put up, which is due to be done on 13 October. The council will also be coordinating with Openreach to relocate cables within the collapse zone.

The full road closure will remain in place to ensure the safety of road users.  A diversion route will be in operation, which is part of the council’s winter gritting routes.

View a video of the B5470 site here...