Manchester Airport Relief Road moved a step closer today with the submission of the planning application for the scheme.
Partners Cheshire East, Stockport and Manchester City councils, who are working together on the £290m project, have also appointed Carillion and Morgan Sindall as the official contractor.
Subject to planning approval, the proposed scheme will provide approximately 10km of dual carriageway, linking the A6 at Hazel Grove to the eastern end of the existing A555 at Woodford Road, Bramhall and from the western end of the existing A555 at Wilmslow Road, Handforth, to Manchester Airport.
The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road is part of the wider South East Manchester Multi-Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) and once completed, it is stated the scheme could deliver substantial benefits to the wider economy, generating additional economic output for the region of up to £2.5 billion.
Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "I am extremely pleased with these hugely positive steps forward in the delivery of this project.
"This will be a key scheme in our aims to further develop the economy in the northern parts of Cheshire East and surrounding area."
Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council, said: "These are significant steps in the delivery of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road. Subject to planning approval, we look forward to working closely with Carillion and Morgan Sindall to deliver the scheme, which will improve the local economy and improve lives within Stockport by reducing congestion on local roads."
Gary Crisp, contracts director for the Carillion Morgan Sindall joint venture, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed to support the development of this vital scheme to improve the road network south of Manchester.
"Carillion and Morgan Sindall have an established joint venture history, having worked together successfully on the £209m Dishforth to Leeming contract to upgrade 22 kilometres of existing A1, which was completed on-time last year."
The news follows the announcement earlier this month that the Department for Transport has awarded programme entry status for the scheme and a commitment of government funding, subject to completion of all the remaining statutory procedures.
The funding has been secured through a combination of £165m of specific Department for Transport capital grant, £105m of additional capital grant funding from the Government through the recently approved Greater Manchester Earn Back model, and £20m of Local Transport Plan (LTP) funding.
Subject to planning approval, construction of the road is expected to take place between 2014 and 2017.
The plans can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for plannign reference 13/4355M. The deadline for submitting comments is 5th December and a decision is expected by 24th February 2014.
For more information visit: www.semmms.info.
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