Handforth roads improvement scheme completes ahead of schedule

Cheshire East Council has completed improvement work two-and-a-half weeks ahead of schedule on roads serving businesses and residents in Handforth on the Stockport-Cheshire border.

The project, which began on January 8th 2024, has delivered enhanced cycling and pedestrian provision, with wider footways, new drainage, kerbing, road markings and additional traffic calming measures to the B5358 Wilmslow Road to the North of the A555 as far as the junction with Stanley Road. Completion had been scheduled for 26th February.

Cllr Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council deputy leader and chair of the council’s highways and transport committee, said:

“I congratulate our highways service on delivering both these schemes in such a timely manner, and with minimal disruption.

“I recognise the road closures involved have caused some inconvenience to residents and businesses and I extend my thanks for their patience and co-operation. I hope that people will agree that this has been a worthwhile investment, making walking and cycling safe on what is a busy road.”

Cllr Chris Hilliard, the council’s walking and cycling champion, said:

“The council is committed to active travel, allowing residents to walk and cycle in safety. These two schemes will be of great benefit to our residents in this part of the borough and, hopefully, will encourage more people to walk or cycle and leave the car at home for those short journeys in their local community.”

Upgrades to the infrastructure on this key route close to the A34 Corridor in Cheshire East are taking place alongside £33.6 million of improvements around this major artery in Stockport after the award of government funding in late 2023. The investment in the A34 Corridor Improvement Scheme was first announced in 2022 to ease local congestion and enhance walking and cycling accessibility along the route, with the first tranches of work getting started in Cheadle around Gatley Road and Broadway, as well as where the B5358 Wilmslow Road meets the A34 near Cheadle Royal Business Park.