Work begins on second phase of Handforth highway improvements

Work has begun on the second phase of improvements works to roads serving businesses and residents in Handforth on the Stockport-Cheshire border.

Cheshire East Council completed the first stage of works between Spath Lane in Handforth and the A555 Manchester Airport Link Road ahead of schedule in November 2023 (pictured). Work is now underway on similar improvements to the B5358 Wilmslow Road to the North of the A555 as far as the junction with Stanley Road.

Improvements will involve widening of the footway to 3 metres for cyclists and pedestrians, resurfacing works, installation of new drainage, kerbing, refreshed road markings and additional traffic calming measures. There will be a 24-hour road closure to through traffic, but access to businesses will be maintained. All motorists not requiring access will be asked to follow the diversion routes, while provision will be made for cyclists and pedestrians and the emergency services.

Upgrades to the infrastructure on this key routes close to the A34 Corridor in Cheshire East, come following the start of £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.

Cheshire East Council’s walking and cycling champion, Cllr Chris Hilliard, commented on the prospect of work in Handforth to connect with improvements underway across the border in Stockport, saying:

“There is the potential for this cycle and walking route to link up with similar schemes in Cheadle, even further towards Manchester.

“It links retail and industrial employment sites at Stanley Green, also the Seashell Trust, a charity for children with complex learning difficulties and disabilities, which is a big employer in the area.”

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

“These highway improvement schemes are important to the council and to the growing number of residents that choose to cycle or walk, whether it’s for pleasure, to go shopping or to their place of work.”