The Governments South East Manchester Multimodal Study (SEMMS) has decided to recommend approval for the A555 Manchester airport link road.
The move revives proposals – now more than 20 years old – which were put on hold in 1997 following a moritorium on new road schemes.
The three-mile, dual carriageway will link the M56 motorway to the A34 at Stockport, via the airport, benefiting Arlingtons Manchester business park and Amecs Cheadle Royal, plus a range of Stockport town centre office schemes.
However, the study said there would be “a presumption against major new development adjacent to the proposed new road”.
Gary Halman, planning director at Insignia Richard Ellis, said: “The approval of the airport road is good for south Manchester and will help schemes like Arlingtons and Amecs. It fills a missing link which has been absent for decades, although it is unlikely to open up new sites.”
But Simon Reynolds, partner with GVA Grimley, said: “Paradoxically, given road pressure in this highly developed area, congestion around road junctions may get worse rather than better around airport development sites. The road will bring benefits but they may be less tangible than many might have expected.”
The SEMMS report has also backed a new metrolink tram line from Manchester city centre to Stockport and improved rail services between Stockport, Manchester Airport and east Manchester.
EGi News 03/09/01
