Key link road review opens on Monday

Public consultation into the long-awaited Manchester Airport relief road between the A6 at Hazel Grove in Stockport and the airport will begin next week.

Funding for the £290m road is in place from a mixture of government and Greater Manchester Transport Fund pots. The new road has been planned for many years and was formally adopted as transport policy in 2001.

There will be a 10km link road between the A6 to the eastern end of the existing A555 at Woodford Road, Bramhall connecting to the western end of the existing A555 at Wilmslow Road, Handforth. The road is due to open in 2017.

The dual carriageway link is part of the South East Manchester Multi-Modal Strategy which would help the airport and the city region reach their full potential by unlocking extra transport and population capacity.

Stockport Council said in a statement ahead of Monday's consultation launch: "By improving access to south east Manchester and east Cheshire, the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road will benefit communities and the local economy, in particular assisting the potential growth of Manchester Airport and Airport City as well as areas of Stockport, Manchester and Cheshire East.

"Once completed, the scheme could deliver substantial benefits to the wider economy, generating additional economic output for the region of up to £2.5bn, as well as contribute towards the creation of up to 5,000 new jobs due to improved connectivity."

The two-step consultation is being run by Stockport Council, along with partners Cheshire East and Manchester City councils.

The first phase of consultation, which runs from 22 October 2012 until 25 January 2013, will allow the three councils to ask for views on junction options to help determine a preferred scheme. A second phase will follow in spring 2013 when the three councils will seek views on the preferred scheme, prior to the submission of a planning application in summer 2013.
There are a number of ways to find out more about how the scheme will affect the local area and to respond to the consultation:

• Online: www.semmms.info
• By email: semmms.relief.road@stockport.gov.uk
• By telephone: 0161 474 2055
• By post: SEMMMS Project Team, Stopford House (Fred Perry House), Stockport, SK1 3YQ
• Follow us on twitter: @SEMMMSA555
• Or by visiting one of the following exhibitions: