Graham wins £13m deal for Stockport link road

Graham has won a contract to build a link road between the A6 and junction 1 of the M60 for Stockport Council.

The company has been picked through Highways England’s CDF Lot 2 framework to design and construct the Travis Brow link road, which will run from the A6 and pass under the Stockport Viaduct to link with the motorway.

Graham will work with consultant Mott MacDonald and civils contractor George Cox & Sons to complete the project by August next year. Aecom is also acting as a consultant on the scheme.

The plan was developed by Stockport Council, in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, and backed by Growth Deal funding secured by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Plans for the link road were originally submitted in May 2016, including the demolition of the Midland public house on the A6, but following objections from local campaigners, plans were redesigned to retain the pub as a local community asset.

These revised plans were approved in January 2017.

The link road forms part of the wider £73m Town Centre Access Plan. The first phase of the work, including improvements to the A6, is already underway, while the second phase, which includes the Travis Brow link road, is due to take place between 2017 and 2020.

Leo Martin, executive director at Graham, said: “This link road development forms a key part of an extensive access plan for Stockport town centre, with high-levels of expertise required in order to complete the work – especially when you take into consideration the grade two listed viaduct and tunnel.

“Graham has a strong reputation for completing high-quality civil engineering projects which each bring their own unique complexities. Our team is well-prepared and adapts to all working landscapes to ensure that all of our projects are completed on time and to a high standard.

Cllr Kate Butler, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council, added: “The new link road is vital to our vision of continuing to improve transport across Stockport town centre. It will provide motorists with a new route into and around Stockport, reducing journey times and improving connectivity for thousands of motorists a year.”