Update on A41 Roadworks

Last week site investigations began to establish why the A41 had collapsed at Quarry Lane bridge, Christleton.

It appears this was due to to sub-soil 'wash-out' beneath the carriageway caused by a water source close by. This water leak is also pushing through into a brick chamber located in the road, where a steady stream of water is now flowing into the foul sewer, approximately 5.5 metres under the road surface.

Water companies, the Canal and River Trust and the Council have all been working together to resolve the problem. Water samples have been taken for testing, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have been arranged to establish the size of the void under the carriageway and the Council's highways contractor, Ringway, has excavated material from the surrounding area.

Engineers are currently working on a method to stem the flow of water, fix the chamber and get the road back into full use as soon as possible. However, it is essential that this is done correctly and may take some time.

For safety reasons, temporary traffic signals are being used to control the traffic while half the carriageway in closed. The Police are being kept informed, as this incident may have an impact elsewhere on the highways network. We doing all we can to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.