Continued power outages in Cheshire East following Storm Arwen

Since 26th November, Cheshire East Council has continued to respond to more than 100 calls regarding Storm Arwen.

 On Friday evening around 96 reports of fallen trees on the road network were received. The council worked through the night to clear and reopen all main routes. However, several road closures still remain in place, mainly on rural and unclassified roads, due to fallen trees and other storm damage. Highways teams are continuing to attend outstanding issues today (Monday 29 November) including clearing fallen trees and are working with utility companies to resolve any issues with damaged cables.

The following roads remain closed:

• Hall Lane, Warmingham – currently closed due to fallen tree
• Adlington Road, Wilmslow – road closure due to fallen tree and damage to lighting column
• Manor Lane, Knutsford - road closed due to fallen tree
• Bearhurst Lane, Henbury - road closed due to fallen tree
• Hall Lane, Sandbach - road closed due to fallen tree
• Sandy Lane, Macclesfield – road closed due to fallen tree and telephone cable damage
• Rookery Lane, Aston - road closed due to fallen tree

The following roads have traffic management in place to allow access:

• Crewe Road, Winterley by Winterley Gardens – road open however partly obstructed by fallen lamppost and tree
• Minshall New Road, Crewe – road partially blocked due to fallen tree
• Smithy Lane, Leighton - road partially blocked due to fallen tree
• King Edward Road, Knutsford between Gaskell Ave and Police Station - road partially blocked due to fallen tree
• Macclesfield Road – Traffic Management to allow access. Tree blocking part of road
• School Lane, Brereton - road partially blocked due to fallen tree

 We are prioritising our response and are carrying out further work to allow the roads listed above to be fully reopened.

In addition to our response to Storm Arwen, the council has also been dealing with snowfall and icy conditions over the weekend into Monday morning. All gritting routes were treated from 3pm yesterday (Sunday) and then again from 2am this morning in advance of rush hour.

The council is continuing to monitor the conditions. It is important to remember that although roads may be treated, road users still need to drive carefully to the conditions. The A54, Congleton to Buxton road and A537 Cat and Fiddle, in the east of the borough, were closed over the weekend due to snow. Cheshire East Highways are working hard to clear these routes and they will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.  Drivers should obey any road closed signs and follow diversions.

Wincle school is also closed today due to the local conditions.

Further to this, the council has been informed that a number of residents are experiencing continued power outages following Storm Arwen. The council has spoken to SP Energy Networks and Electricity North West to better understand the situation. The council has been assured that the energy companies are doing all they can to restore power to those affected.

With uncertainty over when the power will return, the council is welcoming residents who have been affected by the power outage to the following venues:

• Macclesfield Leisure Centre
• Nantwich Library

 If affected residents make themselves known to staff upon arrival, they will be supported with warm drinks and will be welcome to use the facilities for the day. The council will continue to liaise with the electricity companies and is working on contingency plans for residents if the power outage continues overnight.

Any residents who are experiencing a power cut are advised to notify their electricity providers by calling 105.

Urgent highways issues (such as fallen trees) can be reported to the council by calling 0300 123 5020 during working hours or out of working hours on 0300 123 5025.

Concerns about vulnerable people can be reported to the council by calling 0300 123 5010 (8:30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 am to 4:30pm Friday) or 0300 123 5022 (at all other times including bank holidays).