£40m to improve key Greater Manchester-Stockport route
£40m is to be invested in improving the A34 between Greater Manchester and Stockport, which is designed to open up new employment space while improving access for existing businesses.
The improvements to the A34 Cheadle-Handforth will support the development of more than 2,500 homes and 33.3 hectares of employment space, while boosting transport links to Manchester Airport and HS2.
The work will also improve access to the Cheadle Royal Business Park and the Stanley Green business area.
The A34 Cheadle-Handforth runs from the M56/M60 in the north down to the Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road.
Cllr Colin Macalister, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “The A34 is a vital route in the borough, and this investment will bring a host of benefits to not only the A34 corridor, but Stockport as a whole.”
The A34 Corridor Improvement Scheme Phase 1 is designed to ease congestion. It includes the construction of a segregated pedestrian and cycle route running along the route.
The proposed scheme consists of a series of 13 linked interventions which include improved capacity at key locations across the corridor, a new link road connecting the A34 and Wilmslow Road, approved future housing development and new intelligent transportation system solutions to provide better network management.
The Department for Transport will provide £33.64m towards the project, with Stockport Council contributing £560,000. The remaining £6.3m will be provided by third party developers.
Macalister added: “This is fantastic news for Stockport. We believe this new scheme, which includes enhancing and improving the borough’s cycling and walking links, will help to encourage active travel and ensure journey times are improved.
“This scheme, which is subject to full public consultation and planning permission being granted, is much more than just focussing on cars: its aim is to encourage and support more sustainable forms of transport.”
The A34 scheme has received approval in principle, conditional on the local councils submitting final business cases once they have secured the legal permissions they need and have carried out procurement to select a contractor.
