NO roadworks will be carried out in Northwich town centre during the Christmas period after an embargo was placed by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The action has been taken to minimise disruption and to keep things running smoothly during the festive season.

As well as the town centre, the council has said that all major retail outlet areas across the borough will be roadwork-free from noon on Thursday 21 November until 11.59pm on Monday, January 6.

The embargo will cover Northwich alongside the centres of Chester, Ellesmere Port, Frodsham, Neston and Winsford.

Only essential emergency repairs to utility services will be granted permission to work on the road network in these areas.

“At this time of year, we of course see a significant increase in vehicles and pedestrians in and around our major shopping centres during the Christmas and New Year periods,” said CWAC director of place operations, Maria Byrne.

“A roadworks embargo has worked well in previous years and will help visitors and shoppers access the borough’s wonderful shopping and leisure facilities by keeping traffic running smoothly.

“Our street works team may need to grant permits for work on the road network during these dates if emergency repairs are needed to ensure the supply of vital utility services to homes and businesses.”

At the moment, the embargo only applies to the borough’s road network.

The council’s highways service is working with the other network operators, including Highways England and Network Rail, to minimise the impact of any proposed works on their networks through promoting off-peak and night-time working.