Supporters of a new road link to Manchester Airport are celebrating after the scheme cleared an important hurdle this week. Department for Transport has granted the project 'programme entry approval' and has reiterated its commitment to providing £165M in funding.

The 10km dual carriageway road will run from the A6 at Hazel Grove near Stockport to the South East of Manchester towards the airport and the M56 to the South West of the city. It would make use of 4km of the existing A555.

Stockport Council leader Sue Derbyshire said: "This is fantastic news for local people and businesses. We are committed to encouraging growth in the economy and reducing congestion on local roads." 

Government says the scheme will relieve congestion to the south of Manchester and also improve access to the Airport City Enterprise Zone. This may, it says, lead to over 5400 new jobs stemming from better transport in the area.

A parallel shared cycle and pedestrian path and a package of complementary measures, which could include new bus lanes, is planned to make the most efficient use of road space in areas where reductions in car traffic are forecast.

Granting of programme entry approval means that detailed design work and obtaining statutory permissions can get under way. Additional monies for the scheme include £105M of capital grant funding from Government through the Greater Manchester 'Earn Back' model and £20M of Local Transport Plan funding. Construction is due to start in January 2015 and finish in the summer of 2017.

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