Rain delays opening of airport relief road

by Lisa Reeves

Sunday 23^rd April 2017

Sun 23^rd Apr 2017

The opening of the new £290 million A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road has been delayed due to heavy rainfall.

The 10km dual carriageway, constructed to improve access across south east Manchester and east Cheshire, was due to open to traffic by autumn 2017, after two and a half years of construction works.

However, a spokesperson from Stockport Council, who are leading this major transport project with its partners Cheshire East Council and Manchester City Council, said

"Contractors Carillion Morgan Sindall joint venture (CMS) are continuing to make progress on the 10km relief road. Since starting work 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 being needed for certain works. The relief road is now programmed to be opened in spring 2018."

Tags:: Airport Relief Road, Manchester Airport

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Stewart Dyer

Monday 24^th April 2017 at 10:04 am

Only 2 years? Feels like a lot longer. So the daily chaos, horrendous delays and frequent diversions on the commuter route that is the A34 will continue for at least another year. Month after month of sitting in traffic every day, with no visible activity, and even less sign of actual progress. I have still never actually seen a workman there doing anything.
And presumably this catastrophic incompetence has a financial impact as well. Who is picking up the tab for that? Or is that too obvious?

Roy West

Monday 24^th April 2017 at 12:20 pm

Just who are CMS accountable to? Is anyone overseeing the progress (or lack of it) that these contractors are making on a regular basis? I agree with Stewart that normally no workmen are seen on the A34 junction which is so frustrating for everyone caught in the horrendous traffic on a daily basis.It was obvious that the Handforth and Stanley Green junctions were going to be a major concern so why was there no extra special effort made to finish this particular area as a priority. Also, the slip roads at Woodford Road could surely have been opened sooner to ease the pressure on the temporary roundabout.
A regular update from the Council would be appreciated.