Transport package for Stockport unveiled

Stockport Council has set out plans to spend £73m on improving access and transport flows into and around the town centre over the next five years.

The Town Centre Access Plan aims to ease congestion and transform accessibility and connectivity as part of the council’s £900m Investing in Stockport, Investing in Growth programme.

The plan includes the following elements:

  • Highway improvements to the east of the town centre along St Mary’s Way, Hempshaw Lane and Higher Hillgate, including highway widening at key points
  • Targeted improvements to the west of the town centre along King Street West, Booth Street and Greek Street
  • A6 corridor enhancements between George’s Road and Bramhall Lane
  • Improved access to Stockport rail and bus stations
  • Improved access to key potential development sites including; Stockport Exchange, Redrock and Gorsey Bank
  • Public realm improvements to Chestergate and Hillgate/ Shawcross Street
  • New and improved pedestrian and cycle routes
  • Upgraded town centre signing strategy

Cllr Martin Candler, Stockport Council’s executive member for supporting places, said: “This package of improvements, which considers access by all modes of travel, is part of the vision by the Council to improve the town centre and make it easier for people to travel in and around the town. The plan specifically aims to ease congestion for buses and general road traffic, and give better access for pedestrians and cyclists too. The plan is funded by Department for Transport via Greater Manchester Combined Authority as part of the Growth deal and we are also working in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, to transform travel routes in and around Stockport, making a real difference to people’s lives, in the area.”

The first phase of works is underway, including the introduction of a new retaining wall on the A6 Wellington Road North, enabling the introduction of a new right turn off the A6 Wellington Road North into Leyland Street. The widening works will also require the bus waiting facility at this location to be repositioned.

There will also be permanent changes to Heaton Lane car park with the access to the car park moved from Heaton Lane to Great Egerton Street, making it easier to access for people who used the Bridgefield Street car park. Signage will be in place to give directions to the car parks during the works and diversion routes will also be clearly signed on site.

The key contractors for the town centre access plan are George Cox & Sons, Bethell Construction and Solutions SK.

Your Comments

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How disruption will it course to traffic and if so how lobg

By Andy

Andy – loads of disruption, and for ages. Probably.

Seriously, if this is the first thing that comes to mind when a big ambitious package of transport IMPROVEMENTS are announced, I really have no hope.

By Scrub

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