Festive roadworks embargo to support Christmas travel and shopping

Cheshire West and Chester Council has once again introduced a temporary suspension of non-essential roadworks during the busy festive period to help keep people and traffic moving across the borough.

The roadworks embargo will be in place from 11.59pm on Sunday 15th November 2026 until 11.59pm on Sunday 10th January 2027, covering Chester city centre, Ellesmere Port, Frodsham, Neston, Northwich and Winsford town centres, as well as major retail destinations.

During this period, only essential emergency works and urgent repairs will be permitted on the road network within the affected areas.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said:

"The Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for our town and city centres, with more people travelling to shop, socialise and enjoy festive events.

"This annual roadworks suspension has worked well in previous years, helping to reduce disruption and make it easier for residents and visitors to access our fantastic shopping, hospitality and leisure attractions.

"While we will continue to allow emergency repairs where necessary to protect vital services for homes and businesses, the embargo will help minimise avoidable disruption at a particularly busy time of year."

People travelling into Chester this Christmas are encouraged to consider using the city's Park & Ride service.

Park & Ride costs £2.50 per person, with a range of discounted tickets available for families, groups and young people. For example, up to five people travelling together can purchase a day ticket for £5.

Services operate every day, with buses running every 10 to 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on Sundays and bank holidays. Extended late-night services for Christmas shoppers will begin on Thursday 19 November and run every Thursday until Christmas. Full timetable information is available on the Council's website.

The Council is also encouraging people to consider public transport, cycling or walking where possible, or to travel outside peak times, to help reduce congestion and make journeys easier for everyone.

While the embargo applies only to roads managed by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Council's Highways Service is continuing to work closely with utility companies and other network operators, including National Highways and Network Rail, to minimise disruption across the wider transport network through measures such as off-peak and overnight working where appropriate.

Cheshire West and Chester - Christmas Embargo 2026

Chester Area
No roadworks to take place within the area of the City Centre bounded by the City Walls and also on the following roads within a 2.5 mile (4km) radius from Chester Cross; A540, A5116, A41, A5480, A548, A56, A5115, A5104 and A483.

Requests to work on all other roads within a 1 mile (1.6km) radius of Chester Cross will be considered on an individual basis dependant on their nature and traffic impact.

Ellesmere Port Area
No roadworks to take place within the town centre area and also on the following roads, within a 1.5 mile (2.5km) radius of Ellesmere Port Civic Hall; A5032, B5132, Pooltown Road (between A5032 and B5132) and also including A41 (from Backford to M53 Junction 5) and A5117 (from M56 Junction 16 to M56 Junction 14).

Neston Area
No roadworks to take place within the town centre area and also on the following roads within a 1.5 mile (2.5km) radius of the Cross; A540, B5134, B5135 and B5136.

Northwich Area
No roadworks to take place within the town centre area and also on the following roads within a 2 mile (3.2km) radius of the Municipal Building; A556, A533, A559, B5082 and School Lane, Hartford.

Winsford Area
No roadworks to take place within the town centre area and also on the following roads within a one and a half mile (2.5km) radius of the Municipal Building; A54, A5018, B5074, Bradford Road and Road One.

Frodsham Area

No roadworks to take place on A56 High Street/Main Street between Howey Lane and Fluin Lane also Church Street and Fluin Lane to their junctions with Vicarage Road and A56.