Church Hill,  Knutsford – Experimental winter closure

Improving safety during winter conditions

Church Hill is a steep, cobbled street which can become particularly hazardous during freezing winter weather. The combination of the gradient, cobbled surface and icy conditions can significantly reduce vehicle grip, increasing the risk of vehicles losing control while travelling downhill.

There have been instances where vehicles have slid on the hill striking buildings and bollards, creating a risk to drivers, pedestrians, and nearby buildings. The primary purpose of this proposal is to reduce that risk and improve public safety during the winter months.

To address these concerns, we are implementing an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) for Church Hill, Knutsford.

Why a winter closure is being proposed

The Council has a duty to consider appropriate measures where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk to highway users which we have deemed to be the case on Church Hill.

Following consideration of the available options, an experimental seasonal winter closure is considered the most reliable way of managing the risk associated with icy conditions on Church Hill.

The proposed ETRO would introduce a winter period closure of the road which we expect to come into effect in December and run through until April 2027 once the order is drafted and in place.

Why we can't grit the road

A range of alternative options have been considered.

Church Hill is not suitable for treatment by the Council's gritting vehicles, which cannot safely access the location. Hand gritting has also been considered but is not regarded as a practical or reliable solution due to Church Hill being cobbled and the inconsistencies associated with spreading grit by hand.

As a result, winter maintenance alone cannot provide a consistent means of managing the risk.

Why we don't close the road only when ice is forecast

The Council has also considered temporary closures during periods of severe weather.

However, placing and removing barriers every time icy conditions are forecast requires significant resources during our most demanding operational period and may not always be achievable at short notice.

Weather conditions can change rapidly and freezing conditions can develop unexpectedly. Relying on temporary measures creates a risk that hazardous conditions could occur before a closure is put in place.

A seasonal closure provides a more consistent and dependable approach to managing the risk throughout the winter period.

Why an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order is being used

An ETRO allows the Council to introduce a measure on a trial basis and monitor its effects before considering whether any longer-term arrangements may be appropriate.

The experiment provides an opportunity to gather real-world evidence while ensuring the identified safety risk is managed.

How the trial will be monitored

The Council recognises that this closure may temporarily affect travel patterns within Knutsford. However, these impacts have been considered and balanced against the safety concerns that require us to act.

To better understand these impacts, traffic surveys will be undertaken during the closure period, and the operation of the scheme will be reviewed periodically.

The Council will assess:

• Whether the winter closure successfully reduces the identified safety risk.
• The impact on traffic movements within the surrounding area.
• Feedback received from residents, businesses and visitors.
• Whether any modifications or alternative approaches should be considered.

This information will help inform any future decisions regarding the management of Church Hill.