HIGHWAYS officers will review the current speed limits along Manchester Road in Knutsford as part of the strategy for access to new housing developments along the road.

Knutsford resident Allan McNicol has been pushing for a speed review for the road following the death in March of motorcyclist Ian Glanister on Manchester Road.

The 29-year-old father of two died at the scene after his motorbike was in collision with a car next to the Cottons Hotel and Spa.

The fatal crash was the third on that stretch of road in the past four years.

Mr McNicol is a member of the spa at Cottons Hotel, and the latest death on that stretch of road prompted him to start a petition calling for a review of the 60 speed limit.

The petition attracted about 600 names, and Mr McNicol has been pressing Cheshire East Council for an update on a possible speed review in Manchester Road.

A senior highways officer wrote to him, stating: “The current speed limits along A50 Manchester Road will be reviewed as part of the access strategy to serve the new residential developments in North West Knutsford.

“The specific detailed changes will be assessed as part of technical design process, with them being implemented in accordance with the final access proposals and requirements of the planning permissions.”

Mr McNicol was thanked for his petition regarding reviewing the speed limit on the section of A50 Manchester Road outside Cottons Hotel and Fryer’s Garden Centre.

He said he was keen for the public, especially those who had signed the petition, to be updated about the speed review issue.

A motorcyclist died in 2015 after being involved in a collision with a car outside Fryer’s Garden Centre, and in 2016 Miroslaw Chlap, a chef at Cottons Hotel, died after being hit by a car outside the hotel as he cycled home after work.

In April Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning board unanimously approved plans from the Crown Estate to build a business park of up to 7.5 hectares to the west of Manchester Road, along with up to 60 homes.

Tatton Estate received the green light in February for its Bluebell Village development of up to 275 homes on the other side of Manchester Road.

The Crown Estate scheme includes a new roundabout off Manchester Road.

The Tatton Estate scheme which was approved was an outline application to secure the principle of the development, and a more detailed reserved matters application, including design and layout, will be put to Cheshire East.