Study into new road scheme for Greater Manchester announced
Chief Secretary confirms that government will provide funding to assess the case for the new Stockport bypass.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander has today confirmed that the government will be providing funding to assess the case for a new Stockport bypass running east of Stockport from Hazel Grove to join the M60 at Bredbury.
The government is providing £350,000 of funding to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to undertake the study, which will consider the economic and financial case for a bypass, ensuring that it would provide good value for the taxpayer, and will give proper consideration to the environmental impacts.
If the study finds there is a viable case, the local authorities could use this to help make a bid to future rounds of the Local Growth Fund.
This funding represents the latest stage of the implementation of the South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy (SEMMS), which will help improve connectivity across key strategic routes in the area, and ultimately support economic growth in the area.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander said:
Ensuring that we have the infrastructure needed for the UK to fulfil its long-term growth potential is a top priority for the government.
I am therefore delighted to confirm the funding for this study, which will mean that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority can now look at delivering on the next stage of their long-term ambition.
Roads Minister, Robert Goodwill said:
Good roads help people go about their daily business. This study will look at cost-effective ways to cut congestion in Stockport and make it easier for residents and visitors to get from A to B. It is just one example of the government’s commitment to develop northern transport infrastructure. It is because our long term economic plan is working that we can progress this sort of project and improve the lives of hard working people across the country.
Background
The proposal for a bypass is part of the South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy (SEMMS) a 20 year strategy covering an area to the south east of Manchester including parts of Cheshire East, Derbyshire, Stockport and Tameside local authority areas. The strategy was developed to deal with existing and predicted transport problems in the area and aims to improve public transport, improve the use of road space and highways and encourage regeneration.