A34 improvement works set to move forward

Stockport Council is expected to move forward with £35 million of improvement works to the A34 between Handforth and Cheadle.

The Council’s Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee is set to discuss outline proposals for twelve projects to ease congestion and improve active travel provision along the A34 corridor in the borough. A full business case for the project will then be prepared to put to the Department for Transport for funding in March. In addition to government funding, some of the cost is also expected to be covered by contributions from major local developments, including Handforth Garden Village and the construction of a new Seashell Trust campus.

The planned improvements, including changes to junctions and the construction of new walking and cycling routes along the A34, are expected to deliver a number of benefits to the local economy, including through journey time savings for commuters and supporting planned housing and development in the area. The improvements will also complement other schemes on the route being brought forward by Cheshire East Council, including walking and cycling routes from Handforth town centre and the planned Garden Village, and proposals linking the A34 at Wilmslow High School to Wilmslow town centre.

The twelve proposals being put forward are:

• Gatley Road Crossing – A new controlled crossing on the A560 (Gatley Road) and a cycle link between the A34 and Broadway via residential roads including Marchbank Drive, Wensley Road, Milton Crescent and High Grove Road.
• Wilmslow Road – a new signalled junction at Wilmslow Road / Broadway to include cycle and pedestrian crossings and links (known as a CYCLOPS for ‘Cycle Optimised Protected Signals’ junction).
• Broadway – A new cycle route along Broadway with raised junction tables to slow vehicle speeds.
• The Kingsway School subway and Foxland Road – A new subway (replacing the existing sub-standard subway) under the A34 which connecting Broadway and Foxland Road (and the separate campuses of The Kingway School) with additional traffic calming measures along Foxland Road.
• A34 Kingsway (Broadway to Cheadle Royal) – Provision of cycle facilities on both sides of the A34 Kingsway between The Kingsway School subway and Cheadle Royal roundabout.
• Cheadle Royal Roundabout – Improvements to the large, grade-separated
  junction at Cheadle Royal for traffic, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
• A34 Kingsway (Cheadle Royal to Bradshaw Hall Lane) – A new cycle route along the western side of the A34 from the Cheadle Royal junction to Bradshaw Hall Lane.
• Eden Park Roundabout – Remodelling of this junction to avoid congestion, improve crossings and allow for access to the west to Wilmslow Road. This helps the existing network for vehicles and users and makes the network more resilient.
• Stanley Road / Earl Road – Upgrade this junction to reduce congestion and
  provide improved pedestrian and cycle links.
• Stanley Road Roundabout – Works to mitigate traffic impact from the
  proposed Garden Village Handforth development on the A34 and improve local access.
• A34 / A555 Junction – Works to mitigate traffic impact from the proposed
  Garden Village Handforth development on the A34 and A555 and improve sustainable travel facilities.
• Eden Park Cycle Route – An off carriageway cycle and pedestrian route
  linking Stanley Road to Bruntwood Park.

Stockport Council’s Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee will meet on January 28th to discuss proposals, where they will also decide on moving forward with the next phase of development at Stockport Exchange.