The A54 Cat and Fiddle road has reopened almost three weeks ahead of schedule after the first phase of a £3m repair and safety improvement programme.
Derbyshire County Council reopened the route to traffic on Monday 12 October. It had been closed since 27 July and was originally due to remain shut until 30 October.
Drainage and foundations upgraded
The completed work covers the Derbyshire section of the route between the A53 Leek Road junction and the A537 at the Derbyshire county boundary.
It included excavating across the full width of sections of the road, rebuilding the carriageway foundations and introducing measures to reduce surface water flooding. Contractors also installed new road markings, reflective road studs and kerbs, and repaired signs.
The council said the exposed, steep route has been affected by earth banks falling onto the road, with more extreme weather and inadequate drainage contributing to the deterioration.
Councillor Charlotte Hill, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “We know how important the Cat and Fiddle route is to residents, businesses and people travelling between Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire, so we are very pleased to be reopening it three weeks earlier than planned.”
She said the early completion followed careful planning and work carried out during both day and night.
Second closure planned for spring 2027
The council plans to close the road again for about 11 weeks in spring 2027, although dates have not yet been confirmed.
The second phase will reinforce the earth banks, reduce the risk of soil and loose rock reaching the carriageway, install new safety barriers and bike guards, and repair existing barriers. It will also replace drainage culverts beneath the road and complete resurfacing towards the A53 junction.
During the next closure, the signed diversion is expected to use the A53, A523, A537 and A54. Derbyshire County Council said it would publish details of the dates and arrangements once they have been confirmed.