The Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, has approved the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for land for the Poynton Relief Road, bringing this vital project for Poynton residents one step closer to being realised. This was recently confirmed in a letter from Mr Grayling to local MP, David Rutley, who has actively campaigned for the completion of this important infrastructure project for many months.
The approval of the CPO means that Cheshire East Council and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, which are jointly working to deliver this much-needed new route, can now acquire land needed to enable the project to move forward. This scheme will benefit Poynton residents by transferring heavier goods vehicles away from local or residential roads, helping to improve air quality and reduce noise and pollution for the community at the same time.
The new road will be a standard single carriageway, approximately 3 kilometres in length. Its northern end will connect to a junction with the A6 Manchester Airport Relief Road, before passing under the A5149 Chester Road to the west of Poynton and continuing to cross the Woodford Aerodrome runway. At its southern end, the route will pass to the west of Adlington Business Park before connecting to a new roundabout junction to the west of the Adlington Travel Lodge. Links from this roundabout will allow the relief road to connect into the A523 London Road and Adlington Golf Centre.
In addition to the CPO approval, Cheshire East Council has confirmed that, following the public enquiry held in November 2018, the Secretary of State has approved the Side Roads Order (with modifications) for the Relief Road. Cheshire East Council anticipates that the main tender exercise to construct the route would commence throughout 2019, culminating in the award of a ‘design and construct’ contract in October or November. Subject to all of the above timescales being met, it is hoped that construction of the relief road would start in Spring 2020, with the road opening in 2021.
Commenting, David said, "This is very positive news, and an important step in delivering this vital infrastructure project for Poynton. The Poynton Relief Road will reduce congestion and improve air quality for local residents in the village, both longstanding aspirations for the community. I will continue to work with local councillors, residents and community groups in Poynton, to help bring this much needed scheme to fruition.”
