Second collapse on road linking two towns

A second section of a rural road linking two towns has collapsed.

Part of the B5470 between Macclesfield and Whaley Bridge has been shut since January, when heavy rain caused a collapse.

Cheshire East Council said there has been a "small collapse of the bank" on the diversion route because of a failed drystone wall, and said it appears to be "unrelated" to the previous issue.

It said it expected this section to be repaired by the end of July and temporary traffic lights were in place.

Residents and businesses in the village of Kettleshulme close to the first collapse site previously told the BBC it was having a "massive impact" on their lives.

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca had raised the issue in Parliament and described the disruption as "profound".

Cheshire East Council said the repair on the second collapsed section, near Reed Bridge, was being treated as a "top priority" because of its position on the diversion route.

Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, said: "We fully understand the public's concern about this latest road slip, but it is far smaller than the previous landslide on the B5470 and appears unrelated to it."

He added the authority was investigating why the second collapse has happened.

"We are now repairing this road section in Kettleshulme and expect to complete it by the end of July – subject to further investigations," he said.

"This work only requires traffic management to be in place though, rather than a full road closure. "

Councillor Goldsmith added that engineering works at the site of the earlier collapse were continuing.

But the council said it cannot yet provide reopening date for this section of the road.

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