Work costing £33 million along a major road in Stockport is set to begin in April, causing some disruption. It's part of a plan to make improvements to the road network and encourage active travel through walking and cycling.

Contractors will start work on the first two schemes on Tuesday, April 2, near Gatley Road and Broadway.

Works at Gatley Road, along Wensley Road and Milton Crescent are expected to take between four to five months to complete, according to the council.

Changes to the the Wilmslow Road and Broadway junction will be ongoing for three to four months. Work will include new traffic calming measures and flat-top humps at junctions.

A traffic management plan will be used during the work, with temporary traffic lights in place in some of the affected areas.

The wider plan involves creating a new designated walking and cycling route along the A34, and changes to encourage sustainable travel options around the travel corridor.

It aims to reduce congestion on roads by improving junction layouts, and create better access to the Cheadle Royal Business Park and the Stanley Green business area. Pupils and staff at Kingsway School will also benefit from a new pedestrian subway.

The plans for the A34 were announced in December 2023 (Image - Guy Opperman)

Cllr Grace Baynham, cabinet member for parks, highways and transport services at Stockport council, said: "The A34 is a vital route in the borough, and this scheme will bring a host of benefits to not only the A34 corridor, but Stockport as a whole.

"It's great that we can announce that work has started on the first two schemes that make up the wider project.

"Work will be completed in phases, but we would appreciate residents bearing with us while these works take place to create a scheme that will help to encourage active travel by encouraging and enabling our residents to make healthier choices when they travel around our borough, as well as for those that need to use a car."

Work along the A34 corridor is set to continue until 2028. The improvements are forecast to generate £76.8 million in direct economic benefits while boosting transport links to Manchester Airport, according to Stockport council.

The government approved funding for the delivery of the project in late 2023. There is an ongoing drive around Greater Manchester to encourage more journeys by active travel.

This includes investment to create new walking and cycling routes across the region by 2040.

The plan was announced by Greater Manchester's active travel commissioner Dame Sarah Storey in Stockport in December.

Recent projects in Stockport, such as the opening of the new transport interchange, have included facilities for walking and cycling around the town centre.

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