New A6 to Manchester Airport relief road opens to traffic

The new £290 million A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road opened to traffic this morning (Monday).
An aerial view of the new A6 to Manchester Airport link road junction between High Lane and Hazel Grove. Image: SEMMMS.An aerial view of the new A6 to Manchester Airport link road junction between High Lane and Hazel Grove. Image: SEMMMS.
An aerial view of the new A6 to Manchester Airport link road junction between High Lane and Hazel Grove. Image: SEMMMS.

The 10km link road, funded by the Department for Transport, stretches from the A6 near High Lane to Manchester Airport.

Coun Kate Butler, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “I’m delighted that the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road is now open for people to use.

"The road will undoubtedly be one of the key routes for traffic as it travels in and around our region, and the benefits that the opening will bring for residents and companies in terms of reduced journey times, easier access to job and business opportunities as well as reducing congestion on many local roads are huge.

“We’d like to thank residents and businesses again for their patience and support during the construction work we have really appreciated it and know it has been hard times, but know that the new road will bring benefits for you all.”

The project has included seven new junctions and improvements to four others, 11 bridges including four railway crossings, a shared cycle and pedestrian path, over 897,000 square metres of new grassland, hedgerow and woodland and 11 habitat areas for wildlife.

Cheshire East Council leader, Rachel Bailey, said: “The new road will provide enhanced east-west strategic connectivity across the north of the borough and improved access to employment opportunities and business links with Manchester Airport and the Airport City Enterprise Zone.

“The completion of this route and the council plans to deliver the Poynton Relief Road will relieve congestion in Poynton. It will also provide improved connectivity to the strategic highway in the region for the northern Macclesfield business area and Cheshire Science Corridor.

"The new road will bring significantly improved connectivity and employment benefits.”

Visit www.semmms.info for more information.