The project will consist of 6.2 miles of new dual carriageway running east-west from the A6 to the south east of Stockport, to Manchester Airport and a link road to the M56 that will incorporate 2.5 miles of the existing A555. The scheme is also intended to relieve congestion to the south of Manchester and support economic growth in the wider south Manchester corridor.
Around 5,450 new jobs are expected to be created by the resulting improved connectivity in the south Manchester corridor.
The Department for Transport has granted the project programme entry approval, which means that detailed design work and obtaining statutory permissions can get under way. The department will provide £165 million towards the full scheme costs; the project will also attract £105 million of additional capital grant funding via the Earn Back model, and £20 million of Local Transport Plan funding. Construction is to get started on site in January 2015 with completion in summer 2017.
Lord Deighton, chair of the HS2 Growth Taskforce and Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, announced the funding agreement during a visit to Manchester on Monday. He said: “Making this funding available for new road links around Manchester Airport reflects this government’s commitment to drive growth in the economy and reduce congestion on our roads. Manchester Airport is the 4th largest airport in the UK and of crucial importance to the future prosperity of the north of England.”
