WORK has started to deliver a multi-million-pound scheme to improve the A500 near Crewe.

Vegetation is being cleared from the verge and roundabout area of the A500, near to Junction 16 of the M6, as part of advance works by the Highways Agency for the widening of the A500 near Junction 16, that is due to be carried out this year.

This is part of a joint scheme between Cheshire East Council and the Highways Agency that will see the installation of traffic signals on Junction 16 and the widening of the A500 to two lanes approaching the junction.

Funding for this joint scheme has been received from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘pinch point’ programme and the project will be managed by the Highways Agency under agreement with the council.

The scheme is due to commence in June, with completion set for Christmas.

For safety reasons, construction work will be carried out under a 50mph speed limit restriction and overnight closures, which will be co-ordinated with other road schemes planned on the wider road network to minimise disruption to traffic.

Clr Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “Getting this scheme under way is more great news for future jobs and the economic regeneration of Crewe.

“Cheshire East Council’s bid for road infrastructure improvements in and around Crewe has been highly successful, with the final piece in the jigsaw secured last June, when it was awarded £2m of funding by the DfT for local ‘pinch points’.

“This work is part of the council’s vision for a less-congested and better-integrated road network that will help transform Crewe and surrounding areas into an economic powerhouse by 2030. This council is continuing to deliver on that ambition.”