ANXIOUS east Cheshire residents have approached their MP to help fight against potential disruptions during the M6 roadworks.

Fiona Bruce met with people living in Cranage and Holmes Chapel who are concerned about any noise and pollution levels which they say could result from the roadworks which begin in December, to transform M6 junctions 16 to 19 into a Smart Motorway.

According to residents, they have not received adequate answers from Highways England about how certain areas within the villages will be affected by pollution and a number have taken to carrying out their own noise level investigations.

Reports also suggest that the areas affected would include Northwich Road, Kings Lane and New Platt Lane in Cranage, as well as Middlewich Road, Broad Lane and Coniston Drive in Holmes Chapel.

Fiona said: “It was good to meet a large group of residents and to listen to their concerns about noise and environmental problems caused to people living near the M6 particularly between junctions 18 and 19.

“I will be challenging the Highways Agency through a question to the Roads Minister in Parliament to adopt a more positive approach both to existing problems and to the additional traffic problems which will be caused through widening the M6, and to supply a thorough assessment as to the possible solutions available.”

Peter Wild, a Cranage resident, has since commended Fiona for her involvement in the campaign, stating that the meeting was ‘very positive’.

He said: “Fiona took on board all our concerns.

“She listened intently to residents’ concerns and will take this matter forward. I have had feedback from residents who attended last night and the feeling is that she responded extremely well.

“We shall see what happens in the next few weeks.”

Many of the concerned villagers will attend a meeting with Highways England’s Kate Bernie at Cranage Village Hall on December 1 to ask more questions.

Nightly road closures began at the end of October and will continue to take place until construction begins at the end of December.

A spokesperson from Highways England said: “There should be no significant increase in traffic or traffic noise and pollution during the construction of the M6 junctions 16 to 19 smart motorway. “As with any construction project there will be periods when we’ll be undertaking noisy and dirty activities but where possible we schedule these to minimise any inconvenience to people living near the motorway.

“Importantly – as with the half dozen or so other Smart Motorway improvements we’ve already successfully delivered across the country - we’ll be working hard throughout the life of the project to keep local people and road users informed in detail about the different phases of the work.”