Motorists travelling along the A34 are set to benefit from a multi-million-pound package of improvements to the A34 corridor in Handforth and Cheadle.
Last year, the Government announced it would invest £33.6 million in the A34 Corridor Improvement Scheme to ease congestion between the A560 and the A555 and enhance walking and cycling accessibility.
The Government has approved the scheme so work can start as soon as possible, which Stockport Council says will generate £76.8 million in direct economic benefits while boosting transport links to Manchester Airport.
The project includes a 5.6km pedestrian and cycle route along the A34 corridor, improve access to the Cheadle Royal Business Park and the Stanley Green as well as improved junction layouts to reduce congestion.
In total, the proposed scheme consists of a series of 13 linked interventions which include improved capacity at key locations across the corridor, a new link road connecting the A34 and Wilmslow Road, approved future housing development and new intelligent transportation system solutions to provide better network management.
The Department for Transport will provide £33.64m towards the project, with Stockport Council contributing £0.56 million. The remaining £6.3 million will be provided by third party developers.
Cllr Mark Roberts, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: "This latest milestone in the project is a vote of confidence in the borough and fantastic news for Stockport.
"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."
Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services, added: "The A34 is a vital route in the borough, and this investment will bring a host of benefits to not only the A34 corridor, but Stockport as a whole."
The works will be delivered in phases - the first phases this winter are planned to be around Gatley Road, Wilmslow Road and Broadway and will begin in the New Year.
Roads Minister Guy Opperman 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."
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The Alderley to Wilmslow cycle path - that money had to be spent on such a project. Ludicrously they couldn't use common sense and spend it on another worthy project. Sums up the value for money the tax payer gets.