As residents of Hazel Grove Paul and Lou Ankers are passionately interested in how we can combat traffic congestion in our area. So, like many of you,  we were interested to see how the opening of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road (A6MARR) would impact us.

Whilst there have been some benefits, it’s clear that many people have seen an increase in traffic and HGVs on their roads, and your local Liberal Democrats have spoken with many residents about their concerns.

Clearly, the full benefits of the road will only be realised when the “missing link” is completed. The building of the “missing link” is the subject of much discussion at the council with all major parties, including the Liberal Democrats, agreeing that it should be built.

In the meantime Councillor Ankers and Councillor Twigge are working with the Council to see if any mitigation measures can be put in place to help improve the traffic situation. They have related the concerns and questions to the A6MARR Project Team and have sought answers and action.

Specific changes that are being actioned  include:

• Timing of the lights at the Fiveways and Brookside junction – changes are currently being made to improve traffic flow and infrastructure works are being done to link the Fiveways signals with the A555 signals. These works will be completed by mid-December.

• Consideration of the need for yellow box junction markings at the same junction to take place after the infrastructure works are completed in mid-December.

• Keeping the speed limit of 50mph coming up to the junction under review (by Council and Police working together)

• Reviewing the impact on traffic on nearby roads such as Chatsworth Road, Ashbourne Road, Mill Lane etc, to take place after the infrastructure works are complete.

• A temporary traffic island has been put in place on Macclesfield Road to ensure that access to properties on Macclesfield Road remains unimpeded. Again, this is being monitored.

If you have any concerns or suggestions, please get in touch and we are happy to communicate these to the A6MARR project team and the Council’s transport team.

The A6MARR is not the only traffic issue Hazel Grove has. In a future blog post, I will update you about some of the other improvements the Lib Dems are calling for around Torkington Road and along the A6.