Say NO to Jacksons Edge Road Closure

In February 2014, United Utilities plan to repair the fresh drinking water reservoir at the top of Jacksons Edge Road opposite the Amalgamated Sports Club. Not only is the Reservoir old but it is leaking.

The procedure for repairing this reservoir involves moving 50,000 tones of earth and rubble from the existing site to a suitable but temporary dumping ground during a 3 year construction period. Involving several planned and lengthy Jacksons Edge Road closures each lasting up to 8 weeks.

We should be in favour of United Utilities repairing the reservoir but we should be against the manner in which they and the Cheshire East Planning Office propose to do it.

Why should we all be concerned? Because if these plans are approved they will cause traffic chaos. Add in the A6 to Manchester Airport bypass planned to run in tandem with this construction and the A6 will resemble a car park. The environmental and cost repercussions of this will be great.

There were three options available to United Utilities prior to their planning application. Part of Disley Golf Course, the disused Jacksons Edge Quarry and the Field off Jacksons Edge Road and Light Alders Lane.

The Quarry should be the only choice as it would significantly reduce the requirement of closing Jacksons Edge Road altogether and keep United Utilities from dumping 50,000 tones of earth and rubble on our doorstep.

A Planning Committee meeting was held on 9th of January 2013 in the Macclesfield Town Hall to discuss and vote on these plans. Our group of local residents launched an argument to the committee urging them to use the quarry. The committee agreed and a deferral on this application was issued until the real reasons for not using the quarry can be established and a full traffic survey can be conducted.