RESTORATION work to Nantwich Aqueduct has been postponed to avoid disruption for local businesses during the summer and to allow additional funds to be raised.

The work, which is being managed by the Canal & River Trust, was due to have been started at the end of March and would have involved the closure of the A534 for eight weeks.

However, local residents and businesses were invited to comment on the proposals at an open day in February at Nantwich Market, which influenced the decision to postpone the work until September.

Cllr David Topping, Cheshire East Council cabinet member in charge of service commissioning, said: “Both Cheshire East Council and the Canal & River Trust have responded immediately to concerns raised by local traders and the Council has subsequently brokered discussions between the key parties to seek a swift resolution.

“This has resulted in the decision to establish an Aqueduct Project Group, to be led by businesses at Nantwich Marina, to support and celebrate this important piece of work.”

The grade II* Nantwich Aqueduct carries the Shropshire Union Canal over the A534 Chester Road – one of the main routes into the centre of Nantwich.

The road needs to be closed while the ironwork is grit blasted and repainted.

The work is funded by donations to the Canal & River Trust by members of the public (£135,000), Cheshire East Council (£40,000), Nantwich Town Council (£20,000), Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Council (£3,000) and the Nantwich Partnership (£2,000).

An additional £50,000 of funding is now to be sought to cover the cost of the extra work.

Canal & River Trust project manager, Marc Evans, said: “This work needs to be carried out, but we are mindful of the disruption that the road closure will cause.

“Restoring the aqueduct in September will be less disruptive and it also gives us the opportunity to seek extra funding for additional work that has been identified as being needed to its masonry.

“By doing everything in one go in September, we will be able to get the aqueduct in tip top condition with as little disruption as possible.”