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A556 Knutsford to Bowdon Environmental Improvement
A556 Knutsford to Bowdon Environmental Improvement
- Status
- Planned
- Located in
- Area 10
- Scheme type
- Programme of Major Schemes
The Project
The A556 is a major trunk road between North Cheshire and South Manchester. The section of the A556 under consideration is between the M6 junction 19 near Tabley/Knutsford and the M56 junction 7 near Bowdon.
To the northern end of the A556 are the communities of Altrincham, Bowdon and Hale
The section of the A556 between the M56 junction 7 and the M6 junction 19 is 6.5km (4 miles) long and is currently mainly single 4-lane carriageway with sections of dual 2-lane carriageway. Along the A556, numerous properties and field entrances have direct access onto the trunk road.
As well as the two motorway junctions, there are also two other major junctions that connect local roads to the A556. These are the Bucklow Hill junction, and Mere junction. Both junctions are signal controlled and have restricted turning movements.
The A556 currently carries approximately 50,000 vehicles per day with HGVs contributing approximately 18% of this figure. There were 200 accidents in the period 1998 to 2005, including 5 fatalities and 39 serious injuries. At present the road is heavily congested for long periods of the day.
Latest News
The public consultation for this scheme closed on the 2nd July 2007. Since the end of the public consultation the scheme has been further developed taking into account the many useful comments that were received. Further environmental survey work has also been completed, as well as a review of scheme costs.
Amendments following Public Consultation
In response to concerns that were raised by the public during the Public Consultation, minor amendments were made to Option B.
These were to relocate the junction with the A50 further north to where the A50 intersects with the bypass. The proposed link between Chapel Lane and Millington Hall Lane has also been removed.
Decision of the Secretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport has considered the views expressed by the public and agrees that Option B, as shown on the plan, should be the preferred route.
What happens next?
Option B will be designated as the Preferred Route for upgrading this section of the A556. Land in the vicinity of the preferred route will be protected from development.
Further consultation with stakeholders will take place and the design of the Preferred Route will be developed in more detail to identify the land that will need to be acquired to construct the scheme. This will involve the development of junction layouts, drainage requirements and suitable environmental mitigation measures such as landscaping and planting.
Once this work has been completed draft Highway Statutory Orders and an Environmental Statement will be published. The public will then have an opportunity to consider the proposals and make representations and objections to the scheme. If objections to the Draft Orders are received a Public Inquiry may be held.
