WORKERS at a Congleton factory can enjoy a smooth ride to work thanks to repairs costing ten of thousands of pounds.

The repairs have transformed the Bath Vale approach to the UPF factory, which boasts a new 100m long £55,000 wall.

The work has also included resurfacing a 300-metre stretch of the road, at a cost of £25,000.

The road had deteriorated badly, and featured numerous potholes, while the stone wall alongside had fallen in several places and was in danger of total collapse.

Shopkeeper Frank Holt initiated calls for the repairs when he was a councillor, calls which won the backing of UPF managing director Roy Price.

The new two-metre high wall has been built from stone, two metres deep, packed into a series of metal cages.

Central government has paid for the wall, while the county council has funded the resurfacing, along with a £5,000 grant from Congleton Town Council and help from UPF.

"I called for this work 20 months ago, and was determined to get it done," said Mr Holt

"It will be a lot safer now, and I want to thank Judith Thwaite for her support on the borough council."

District engineer Roy Spicer was very pleased with the repairs, which he estimated would be finally completed next month.