MP seeks answers on traffic disruption

The severe disruption and long delays that Macclesfield residents and businesses have experienced due to the closure of the Silk Road have been raised with the National Grid by local MP, David Rutley.

The closure of the Silk Road was scheduled to take place between 4^th-13^th August, to allow maintenance works on overhead pylons. However, damage to an underground cable on another part of the National Grid network meant that power could not be switched off along the Macclesfield electricity line, so works had to be halted. There was then a delay in reopening the road, causing further disruption for motorists and it is not known when the works will resume.

David has written to Mr John Pettigrew, National Grid’s Chief Executive, to express his concern and disappointment about the delays to these works. He is seeking answers for local residents and businesses as to why these issues were not identified before road closures in Macclesfield took place, and why, once the problems became apparent, steps were not taken to reopen the Silk Road more quickly. He is also seeking assurances that serious and detailed consideration is being given to ensure that, when the works are rescheduled, they can be carried through to completion and on time, and at a time of year that minimises disruption to residents and businesses.

David told ilovemacc, “I know that this has been a testing time for local residents, who have experienced considerable congestion and delays. Maintenance works such as this are necessary from time to time, but it is very concerning that these challenges were not anticipated more readily and that the Silk Road was not reopened more swiftly. It is essential that, whenever these works are rescheduled, disruption and inconvenience to residents and businesses is kept to a minimum, and I will continue to actively make this point to the National Grid going forward.”