Millions of people in the North West of England are set to benefit from almost £34m of government investment to tackle traffic congestion, cut journey times and improve connectivity across Greater Manchester and Stockport.
The funding will help deliver vital improvements to the A34 between Cheadle and Handforth – a move the Department for Transport expects to generate more than £72m in direct economic benefit for the region.
The £33.6m government funding is backed by a further £10m from Stockport Council and local private investors.
Improvements include a new pedestrian subway for pupils and staff at Kingsway School and better accessibility to the Cheadle Royal Business Park and Stanley Green business area.
Construction will start as soon as possible according to the government, with the project set to be completed by spring 2027.
“This latest milestone in the project is a vote of confidence in the borough and fantastic news for Stockport.”
Cllr Mark Hunter, the leader of Stockport Council, further explained: “This work aims to encourage and support more sustainable forms of transport and more accessible and safer routes while also improving junctions and traffic flow on a road area that has been a challenge for many years.
“We believe this new scheme will help to encourage active travel by encouraging and enabling our residents to make healthier choices when they travel around our borough, as well as for those that need to use a car.”
Those travelling to Manchester Airport will especially benefit from the works, as well as those who walk and cycle with the creation of a new segregated pedestrian and cycle route parallel to the A34.
Guy Opperman, the roads minister, visited the site earlier this week to lay the first spades in the ground.
He said: “We have invested nearly £34 million into improving the A34, easing congestion and improving safety for local drivers while helping to improve connections to grow the economy across Stockport, Greater Manchester and the North West.
“It was great to visit Cheadle today and hear first-hand how our funding will help improve one of Stockport’s key roads as we work hard to keep this country moving and back drivers.”
Image credit: iStock
