IT IS full speed ahead for Alderley Edge bypass. Contractors working on the construction of the £52million Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley bypass are on track and on budget.

Birse, constructing the three-mile route, have begun the next phase which includes the building of three road bridges and a footbridge together with a new carriageway, surfacing, kerbing and drainage.

The company recently completed the vital railway bridge which made way for work to start on an underpass at Welsh Row.

There had been concerns that the work was not going to be completed on time and developers would have to wait until next Christmas to shut the railwayline.

All surplus material has been used to screen the site to reduce noise and limit residents’ views of traffic.

Cheshire East Council has also re-housed a badger sett found on the site and has been working alongside Natural England to ensure the on-going protection of the local newt population.

Doug Mackie, bypass project manager, confirmed they are back on track for the June 2011 deadline. He said: "˜Despite the cold weather, which has affected progress the civil engineers Birse are striving to complete ahead of schedule. A lot now depends on the performance of utility companies who have major service diversions over the new bridges."

The project will cost £52m, with the majority of the funding, £48.4m, coming from the Department of Transport.

Phil Sherratt, CEC’s head of environmental services, thanked residents and drivers for their patience during the building work. He said: "The work is moving along very quickly now. At this stage I am confident that the installation will remain on budget and on-time. Once completed, this long-awaited bypass will be an essential commuter route around Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley."

Residents are reminded that the site office on Soss Moss Lane, Nether Alderley, is open every Wednesday morning from 9am until 10.30am. An evening drop-in session is also planned for Thursday, March 11, from 6pm until 8pm at the Methodist Church in Alderley Edge.

  • There will be off-peak lane closures of the inner circle of the Harden Park roundabout to facilitate the filling of the centre island during February.

  • Brook Lane will be closed from Tuesday, March 2, for 20 weeks. A diversion will be in place via the Kings Arms roundabout. Letters are being sent to local schools and residents. Access for pedestrians will remain.

  • Works to install new ducts for BT, mainly on footways, will take place with some off-peak temporary lights on the A34. Ryleys Lane will be closed at the weekends, with a diversion via Monks Heath. This work will coincide with the school half-term (February 13 to 21).

  • Temporary lights are in place at the Frog Lane to complete the construction of the new roundabout, which should be opened by late February.

  • Bollington Lane will be closed from February 15 with access for residents only to allow widening and resurfacing. It is expected to take six weeks to complete.

  • A34 / A537, Bollington Lane / Monks Heath junctions will have lane restrictions, off peak where possible, over the next few months for junction changes.