'Gas pipe works are making our lives a misery...'

RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES SLAM 'CHAOS' CAUSED BY CLOSURES ON MAIN ROAD

- CHRIS SLATER

RESIDENTS and businesses say their lives are being made a misery by roadworks on a major route after bosses confirmed they would be continuing for another month.

A 145-year-old gas mains pipe is currently being replaced on Brinksway, close to the Stockport Pyramid roundabout.

Only one lane of traffic is running in each direction on the stretch of road and the bend of the A560 near the Audi dealership which runs from the town centre to Edgeley and Cheadle Heath.

It is leading to delays at most times of the day, but things have been particularly bad during rush-hour with queues backing up into Cheadle Heath and onto the roundabout itself.

Engineers have been working in the area since the summer after discovering ‘multiple leaks.’ They initially began repairing the 180-metre long pipe. However bosses at gas network firm Cadent announced last week that they had now decided to replace it.

The work began on Monday and is due to last another four weeks.

And those living and working nearby say it is essential it is finished as soon as possible due to the extent of the disruption.

Lewey Hellewell, 45, lives in Cheadle Heath but works in Blackley, north Manchester at the offices of the food charity he founded, Humans MCR.

He says the works are causing ‘absolute bedlam’. He believes there has been a lack of communication with local businesses and residents, so much so this week took to contacting the office of the company’s chief executive.

“You accept things as you know they need to improve things, but then months later you think to yourself 'I can't believe they are still doing this" he said.