Double chaos for drivers on the A34

MOTORISTS who use the busy A34 Kingsway through Stockport are set for a double dose of traffic chaos, with resurfacing work and a huge new housing development on the way.

A month of evening and night time delays began last week as work to relay the road started.

And in the coming years, there is predicted to be more permanent traffic trouble after a government planning inspector gave the goahead for a large scale development of 2,000 homes.

Despite the proposed housing being at Handforth Dean, which is in neighbouring county Cheshire east, it has been predicted that the resulting congestion - particularly at rush hour - will hit Stockport hard.

Cheadle Hulme South councillor Mark Hunter, whose ward is likely to be badly affected, said: “This is an appalling decision given the traffic chaos that will ensue as a result.

“They (Cheshire East members) are apparently unconcerned about the impact it will have on traffic flows. I suspect this is because most of the traffic will be flowing through Stockport, rather than Cheshire. The A34 is jammed at peak times already and these plans will make matters much worse.”

The government inspector has approved Cheshire East’s local plan, which contains proposals for the housing development known as the North Cheshire Garden Village.

Although full planning permission still needs to be secured, Coun Hunter said he fears that will be a formality. He is calling for Cheshire East chiefs to ensure traffic calming measures are put in place.

The building would be done in phases, starting in 2020 and lasting until 2030.

Coun Hunter added: “I shall seek an assurance from Stockport council that they will press Cheshire East to meet the cost of all mitigation measures to ensure the A34 can flow freely.”

Phase one of the A34 carriageway resurfacing work began on Monday, June 26, on the northbound side between Schools Hill in Cheadle and Lynton Road in Cheadle Hulme. The stretch is closed between 8pm and 5.30am.

Phase two will see the southbound carriageway closed between the same hours from Gatley Road to Schools Hill.

Council chiefs say that, weather-permitting, all work will be completed by July 21, but a date for phase two has not been given.

A Cheshire East Council spokesman said: “All councils are obliged to prepare a local plan and it is expected that these plans will make proper provision for future housing needs.

“Ours has been thoroughly scrutinised through a long and rigorous examination process, which is designed to assess the soundness of sites and proposals within it.

“The Handforth Garden Village is one of those sites and was very carefully examined by the independent inspector, especially on matters such as transport and highways.”

He added that Cheshire East would work with partner agencies to find solutions to any transport problems.