Work on the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road has completed, with the new A555 road now in full use following an open day which offered local residents the opportunity to explore the route on foot and by cycle.

This 10 kilometre stretch of dual carriageway, between Hazel Grove and Manchester Airport, has been designed to ease congestion whilst also boosting local jobs, businesses and connectivity.

This project, which started work on site in 2015, included the construction of three new and four upgraded junctions, along with 16 bridges, four of which cross the existing rail network.

As part of the extensive environmental works completed alongside the road, almost 900,000 square metres of new grassland, hedgerow and woodland have been planted alongside 11 wildlife habitat areas. In addition, to encourage alternative, environmentally friendly transportation methods, a walking and cycling track runs parallel to the length of the new A555.

Simon Smith, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said; “I’m really pleased that the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road has opened to traffic and is easing congestion for the people of Stockport, Manchester and east Cheshire. This has been a complex project, but the team has responded adeptly to every challenge in order to reach this successful conclusion.”

Councillor Kate Butler, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council said: “This has been one of the largest and most complex local authority road schemes on site in the UK over recent years and we’ve really appreciated all of the help, patience and support given by residents during the construction work.”