MARTHALL Lane in Ollerton is ‘like a race track’ because of the speed of traffic using it as a cut-through.

So says villager Carly Jo Curbishley ahead of the planned closure of the road to repair a bridge damaged by a car.

The Marthall Lane bridge over Marthall Brook is due to close for the day next Friday, March 23, to allow parapet repairs to be carried out.

The road is to close between 9.30am and 3.30pm for the work, and a diversion will be put in place.

Carly lives in Marthall Lane, and received a letter from Cheshire East Council informing her of the planned road closure.

The letter said: “Following the road traffic collision on Marthall Lane Bridge a short closure is required to recover the parapet wall.

“We understand that there is no right time to undertake works on such a vital road as Marthall Lane, Ollerton, and this has been carefully planned to minimise disruption to local residents, businesses and members of the travelling public.”

Carly said: “This road is very busy as it’s used as a through route, which cuts out Knutsford and takes you out to Mobberley.

“It’s used like a race track. The people who use it fly up and down the road, and it’s very scary for the people who live down the road who have little children.

“One day I can see a very nasty accident happening.

“The council have put letters through residents’ doors, but what about all the people who use the road as a cut-through?

“They won’t receive these letters and will still come down the road and end up turning around.

“The council should put a sign up at both ends of the road to say that it will be closed.”

The council said it would be necessary to close the road for one day only, and ‘Business Open As Usual’ signs would supplement ‘Road Closed Ahead/Diversion’ signs as and where required.

The diversion route will be Marthall Lane, Pinfold Lane, Chelford Road, Marthall Lane.

The council said: “No vehicles will be allowed past Marthall Lane Bridge during the day, while they are working on the structure for safety reasons.”