It has been a Nantwich road project dogged with delays and problems.
Now it seems the latest setback to the new A51 Reaseheath bypass is the wrong size road sign!
Witnesses described today how workmen were attempting to put up a new sign on Barony Road on the approach to the newly configured Reaseheath roundabout.
The sign aims to direct traffic leaving Nantwich to turn left for the new soon-to-be opened bypass towards Chester (51) and Wrexham (A534).
But witnesses describe watching as workmen took out tape measures and realised the sign would not fit on to the posts!
One resident who lives nearby, said: “The old sign was knocked down a few years ago so the contractors have had to put up new posts for the new sign for the Reaseheath bypass.
“They started work last Monday and finally put up the new posts this morning.
“When they came today to fit the sign they discovered that the posts were too far apart so they could not put up the sign.
“The contractors who came to fit the sign have now left, leaving a half completed job!
“I saw them lift up part of the sign. It was then that they discovered that either the sign was not wide enough or the posts were too far apart!”
It’s not clear if the workmen were contractors for Cheshire East highways or the Kingsbourne consortium, who are funding the new road.
We have contacted Cheshire East Council for a statement and requested an update on when the new A51 bypass will be open. We are awaiting a reply.
The bypass was originally supposed to open in February 2022 as part of S106 conditions for the Kingsbourne housing development.
But years of delays, disputes and problems have meant the road is still not open more than four years later.
In December 2025, we revealed how both Cheshire East Council and the housing consortium behind Kingsbourne blamed each other for the latest delay.
In December, Cllr Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee, said “there are no highway agreements in place for the roads to be offered up for adoption” which was the cause of the latest delay.
He said: “The council is still awaiting the necessary documentation from the developer before this process can move forward.
“Responsibility for completing these agreements lies entirely with the estate’s developers.
“The council is actively pressing them to provide the required information without further delay.
“Until the agreements are finalised and formally signed, the roads cannot be adopted or opened for public use.”
They announced their April Fools joke days early.
The only words are ‘ Total Incompetence’
God help the United Kingdom from Local Authorities, the monies wasted is just beyond belief.
This incident will have cost money.
It is unbelievable !!!
This is the problem when you rush projects. Maybe the whole thing needs another few years ?
As has already been reported, the developers are deliberately stalling the opening of the bypass until all the houses are sold… who’d want to live next to the A51?
Gross incompetence CE continues to show they couldn’t run a bath
Piss up and brewery come to mind!😳😳