Motorists face mayhem again after resurfacing work on a major Sandbach road fails - just 10 months later

By Deborah Bowyer 10th Feb 2025

Motorists face mayhem again later this year after a road going in and out of Sandbach has to be repaired again - just months after the original work was carried out.

Middlewich Road in Sandbach was resurfaced in April last year (2024), causing motorists from Elworth, Ettiley Heath and Middlewich and others going in and out of the town having to do a big loop.

But just 10 months later, it's been revealed that the "treatment" used has failed and the work has to be corrected, thankfully at no extra cost of Cheshire East.

Now the road is being swept regulary to "remove any excess chippings from the road" until the repair work can be carried out to the road.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, said: "The treatment carried out, which is used widely by councils across the country, helps to seal the road and prevent water from getting in.

"Over the past few years, almost 609,000 sqm of this treatment has been laid in Cheshire East and we have not experienced issues like this in the borough before. We are working with our contractor responsible for the work to understand the cause.

Workmen resurfacing Middlewich Road last year. (Photo: Nub News)

"There are no safety concerns with the road, but we of course want to ensure the works are up to the standards we expect from a treatment of this type and are planning to carry out further improvement works when the weather is more suitable.

"We currently expect this to be during May. These works will be carried out at no extra cost to the council.

"We apologise for any inconvenience or concern caused and would like to reassure our residents that we are committed to managing the impact of these works and ensuring our roads are safe.

"Since being made aware of the issues, we have been carrying out regular monitoring and inspection of the road, along with regular sweeping to remove any excess chippings from the road."

Road closures in Middlewich Road during school hours last year when the original work was done. (Photo: Nub News)

Councillor Nicola Cook, Cheshire East's Elworth councillor, who secured funding for the original project, said: "The re-surfacing of Middlewich Road is one of only eight projects funded by Cheshire East Council.

"Since being elected in 2023, I received more concerns about the state of this road than any other issue. I was therefore absolutely delighted when £500,000 was secured to repair and re-surface Middlewich Road.

Councillor Nicola Cook. (Photo: Cheshire East)

"Whilst residents, including myself were disrupted by the work which took place last year, we all knew it would be worth the wait and the inconvenience.

It is with dismay that following my visit with the Highways Team last week I learnt that a significant amount of the road surface has failed. This same problem has also occurred on the A500 from the M6 Junction 16 to Crewe, and also the A34 Wilmslow Road.

"I understand that the repair of these roads will not be an additional cost to the Council, however it clearly will cause inconvenience to residents, and absolutely should not have occurred.

"Questions need to be answered, and I know all involved are equally as disappointed as me and are working hard to rectify the problem. I have asked for the outcome of any investigation so that this can be shared with residents."