RAIN TO BLAME FOR AIRPORT RELIEF ROAD DELAY
Transport bosses say the full opening of the Manchester Airport relief road has been delayed – blaming too much rain. The £300m bypass, which runs from the A6 in Hazel Grove to the M56 via the existing A555 in Bramhall, was scheduled to be fully open in November. But this date was pushed back to early 2018 and - after further complications caused by the British weather - is now said to be spring next year.
TRANSPORT bosses say the full opening of the Manchester Airport relief road has been delayed – blaming too much rain.
The £300m bypass, which runs from the A6 in Hazel Grove to the M56 via the existing A555 in Bramhall, was scheduled to be fully open in November.
But this date was pushed back to early next year and – after further complications caused by the British weather – is now said to be spring 2018.
It is the latest twist in a long-running saga that saw the three councils involved, Stockport, Manchester and Cheshire East, approve plans for the road in early 2014.
A spokesman for Stockport council said: “Contractor Carillion Morgan Sindall is continuing to make progress on the 10km relief road.
“Since starting in 2015, contractors have worked hard to develop the road scheme. However, heavy rainfall, localised flooding and poor ground conditions have led to changes to the construction programme being required and more time needed for certain works.”
Other problems the road has faced are a public inquiry and more recently potential danger from golf balls from Hazel Grove Golf Club.
The possibility balls could hit cars on the link between the A6 and the bypass meant a planning application for giant protective nets needed planning permission before work could continue.
And following complaints from residents in nearby High Lane, who say their area will be the worst affected by the relief road, another traffic scheme is being looked at.
The Windelhurst Lane junction with the A6 Buxton Road needs widening to accommodate the additional traffic wanting to turn left from the latter onto the former.
An additional lane would require the council to purchase and demolish two homes near the junction and buy some land from owners of sheltered flats at Windlehurst Court. Negotiations are still ongoing.
The first section of the relief road will be opened to traffic in the near future. A section between Yew Tree Avenue and Norbury Hollow Road, in Hazel Grove, will be used while construction work on the A6 bus bridge takes place.
The existing A6 will still be open to pedestrians and cyclists and access to homes and businesses maintained.