The Congleton link road has won a pair of prestigious awards.

Cheshire East's biggest ever infrastructure scheme won 'large project of the year' at both the Institute of Highways Engineers' (Mercia Branch) and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation 2022 awards ceremonies.

The project - which was named after great Congleton resident Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy - opened just as COVID-19 restrictions lifted last spring.

The team, made up of Cheshire East Council and contractors Graham and Ringway Jacobs' staff, claim to have delivered the three-and-a-half mile project Wolstenholme Elmy Way – on budget – against a backdrop of severe challenges of exceptional wet weather and disruption due to the pandemic. 

Cllr Craig Browne (Centre) holds an award. (Image - Cheshire East Council)

The latest recognition follows a Civil Engineering Contractors' North West award last October, for 'social value', which recognised exceptional partnership work delivering local community initiatives.

Alderley Edge Councillor Craig Browne, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, said: "These awards are entirely well-deserved accolades for the whole team for their commitment, passion and dedication to delivering the council's biggest infrastructure scheme to date."

The Independent Group Councillor added: "This project not only delivers improved connectivity – between Macclesfield, Congleton, the surrounding area and the M6 – but has also helped reduce congestion and benefited air quality in Congleton town centre, whilst releasing 20 hectares of new employment land with the potential to create 3,000 jobs by 2035."

Congleton Link Road's offical opening to traffic, 13 months ago. (Image - Cheshire East Council).

Congleton Nub News has asked for evidence of air quality improving within Congleton town centre.

Cllr Browne, who is also Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee stated: "This scheme is a cornerstone of Cheshire East Council's Local Plan vision for creating sustainable, jobs-led growth and vibrant communities. 

"The whole team should be proud of their commitment to delivering a high-quality scheme in challenging circumstances while ensuring that engaging with local people, keeping them informed and improving communities was always at the heart of the project."

When the award-winning project opened in April 2021, it was estimated that around half of the 13,000 vehicles which used Clayton Bypass each day would drive on the new link road.

The A536 which passes through Somerford and Hulme Walfield is also frequented by cyclists and pedestrians. (Image - Cheshire East Council)

Alastair Lewis, contracts manager for Graham, said: "These latest awards are fantastic and well-deserved recognition for the whole team for their hard work and dedication to delivering a first-class project. 

"Despite the challenge created by the pandemic, we were able to deliver a complex scheme within budget – and as close to the original schedule as possible –while also helping support many local community projects in the local area."

While the award should be celebrated in our town, it is worth noting that the trees which were cut down and replanted, have not yet repeat their full benefits.

Despite Cheshire East's plans to be carbon neutral by 2025, many of the saplings on the banks of the roundabouts will have not reached the same levels of carbon storage yet, when compared to the plants that were there previously.

The Congleton Link Road, viewed from above looking down at the Sandy Lane Junction. (Image - Cheshire East Council)

Wolstenholme Elmy Way was opened to traffic on 19 April 2021.

It joins the A534 Sandbach Road to the west and the A536 Macclesfield Road to the north.

The project cost taxpayers £90million, and was completed by two non-local contractors.

The two companies - Graham and Ringway Jacobs - were from Manchester and Chelmsford, Essex respectively.

The project, which took two years to build, was opened with classic cars driving through. (Image - Tom Avery / Congleton Nub News)

Works on the Congleton link road included:

The creation of a new 5.5km single carriageway with eight new roundabout junctions;

Excavation and relocation of more than 850,000 tonnes of earthworks;

The laying of more than 100,000m2 of road and footpath asphalt;

The erection of more than 25,000m of fencing;

Installation of more than 25,000m of new drains

Extensive landscaping – including the planned planting of 15,000 trees.

For more information on the link road visit this or this webpage. 

The gong picked up at the IHE Mercia Branch Awards 2022. (Image - Cheshire East Council)

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