Major upgrade completed to help prevent A555 flooding

Cheshire East Council has completed major improvements on the A555 Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road to reduce the risk of flooding on the route.

The A555 has flooded several times in recent years (pictured from early 2019), causing serious disruption and even leaving vehicles stranded. This upgrade is a key step in improving the road’s resilience to heavy rain and keep traffic moving on this key route that connects Stockport, Manchester Airport and surrounding areas.

Cheshire East Council has doubled the capability of the pumping station that helps manage water levels on the route to improve its ability to cope during storms. The work involved replacing the ageing control panel, which had clocked up more than 61,000 hours of use. 

Cllr Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee, said:

“We know how worrying and disruptive it can be for drivers when this road floods. This upgrade means the pumping station is now much more reliable and better equipped to deal with severe weather.  

“It’s a big step forward in keeping this important road open and safe during the increasingly heavy downpours we are getting.”

While no solution can completely eliminate the risk of flooding, Cheshire East Council is continuing to explore further ways to strengthen flood prevention measures and ensure the A555 remains a safe and reliable route for all road users.