Update on A537 traffic lights at Broken Cross, Macclesfield

5 September 2022

Cheshire East Council has acted swiftly to address initial concerns after developers installed traffic lights at Broken Cross in Macclesfield.

Changes to the lights’ phasing were swiftly ordered by the council’s highways officers after developers’ traffic management scheme went live on Tuesday 30 August. This intervention and alterations to the order of works has helped improve traffic flow and keep delays to a minimum.

We will continue to work with the developers to monitor the situation.

Contractors operating on behalf of developers are undertaking an agreed scheme to remove the roundabout at Broken Cross and replace it with a signal-controlled junction.

The works by HA Civils, on behalf of developers Bellway Homes, are to increase capacity at the junction as part of the development of a housing site on land between Chelford Road and Whirley Road. The works are part of the planning application (Planning Ref: 17/4277M) approved by the council’s strategic planning board in September 2018. 

This followed consultation with ward members, residents and businesses as part of the planning process. The introduction of traffic lights in place of the existing roundabout is to mitigate the forecast future highway impact of additional housing in the area. 
The works are delivered through a section 278 agreement with the highways’ authority. 

Cheshire East Council is fully aware of the impact these works will mean for people travelling in and out of Macclesfield during this construction project and is urging drivers to follow any recommended diversions, where possible. 

The council is aware of the concerns local residents have about the scheme and is in discussions with HA Civils about their community engagement and communications plans. 

The scheme is due to be substantially completed by late November, followed by two further closures in the new year, involving Pexhill Road, Gawsworth Road and Fallibroome Road. 

The council has also taken on board the concerns of residents relating to air quality due to increased levels of traffic arising from the related housing developments. Broken Cross is an air quality management area and the council will monitor air quality in this locality in the usual way.