Macclesfield Road, Rainow – embankment and carriageway collapse

The embankment supporting the B5470 Macclesfield, midway between Ginclough and Kettleshulme collapsed together with part of carriageway in January 2025.

Before the road collapse, temporary traffic lights were in place for safety reasons to mitigate the risk to the public while we investigated defects found on the embankment. We consider significant rainfall to have been a contributary factor to the sudden subsidence, which was unexpected.

The road remains closed for safety reasons.

Progress updates

We've finished all complex ground investigations on site, which included an ecology survey and drainage survey, and assessing the condition of the embankment and the surrounding area. We have also now completed the majority of the lab testing.

We are currently producing an options report to determine the most suitable solution for the embankment repair, which is due to be completed by mid-August. We will select the best option by comparing factors like cost, constructability, environmental impact, and project duration. 

Once we choose an option, we will move into the detailed design and technical approval phase. We estimate this will be completed by early October, though the exact timeline will depend on the design's complexity. We are also in close communication with the Peak District National Park Authority to ensure that all proposals comply with relevant planning legislation. We don't anticipate any issues with planning, but this will be confirmed once the design is complete.

We are currently estimating that work on site will begin in late autumn and be completed in late winter or early spring. Due to the scale and complexity of the repair, the estimated cost is around £1 million. We will have more detailed information on construction dates, duration, and cost in early September, after the final option has been reviewed.

We understand that working in the Peak District during the winter is not ideal due to the weather. However, we have decided to proceed with the work to get the road reopened as soon as possible rather than delaying construction until 2026.

Throughout the construction phase, a dedicated walkway away from the works area will be provided to ensure that access for pedestrians and cyclists is maintained.

We will continue to provide updates as the project progresses.

To ensure we've got this right and prioritise everyone's safety, the road closure will remain in place. We've extended the necessary permit to secure the road space to undertake the works. Other works that may take place nearby will be kept to a minimum and will be assessed to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. We understand this is frustrating for residents and businesses, and we're working hard to reopen the road as soon as it's safe to do so. 

At this point, we cannot provide a specific reopening date and the closure permit provides cautious timescale that may be shorter. We will update on this webpage and via our highways X account @CECHighways as more information becomes available.

Buses will be operating a revised route during the closure, see the timetable changes to the 60 and 60A bus for more information.

We appreciate that the closure causes significant detours for regular users of the road, and we apologise for this inconvenience.

Diversion route

There is a signed diversion in place and members of the travelling public, including cyclists are advised to follow this. See the full diversion route.

Further information:

• Emergency access will not be maintained due to the condition of the embankment and carriageway 
• Emergency services are aware of the closure and the diversion arrangements are in place emergency vehicles
• The road closure is necessary to protect the safety of both members of the public and our workforce 
• Diversion routes are in place and signed 
• Local businesses remain open and access will be facilitated where possible via diversion routes 
• Delays are expected and motorists should plan journeys
• Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained where possible and safe to do so