Cheshire East Council has approved plans for the A6 Manchester Airport Relief Road, which Stockport and Manchester councils have already given the go ahead to.
The three councils have working together on the £290m project which 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.
Within Cheshire East, the project includes modifications to one existing road junction; two new public rights of way/accommodation bridges; one new road bridge; a pedestrian and cycle route for the whole length of the relief road, including retrofitting it to the existing section of the A555; one balancing pond for drainage purposes; and associated landscaping, lighting, engineering and infrastructure works.
The proposal was identified as inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would cause additional harm in terms of landscape, noise, localised air quality, traffic congestion and loss of agricultural land. However, subject to an enhanced package of mitigation and conditions, it was considered that the harmful impacts of the development can be reduced to acceptable levels.
It was highlighted that the proposal will also result in significant benefits through the provision of much needed strategic transport infrastructure. The improved connectivity and reduction in traffic congestion will bring significant sub-regional economic, social and environmental advantages.
The Strategic Planning Board, concluded that very special circumstances exist to allow the development and that the proposal is in general conformity with Development Plan policy and the National Planning Policy Framework.
The scheme will be funded with a £165m Department for Transport capital grant, £105m of additional capital grant funding from the Government through the Greater Manchester Earn Back model, and £20m of Local Transport Plan funding.
The construction of the road is expected to take place between 2014 and 2017.
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