Minister approves Stockport's £43m integrated MRN scheme

01/12/2023 | DOMINIC BROWNE

Stockport's A34 Corridor Improvement Scheme is the latest major road network (MRN) project to get off the ground, with a full business case approved by roads minister Guy Opperman and work set to begin next February.

Bolton-based George Cox and Sons won the contract for the £43m project put forward by Transport for the North and procured by Stockport Council.

The integrated project involves multi-modal works with a focus on walking and cycling that will provide a boost to the area's overall active travel connections. It is due to be completed by spring 2027.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is supporting the work with a £33.6m contribution from the Government's National Roads Fund.

Mr Opperman told Highways he was 'delighted' to work with Transport for the North on this MRN submission and 'to get this scheme over the line'.

'What is special about this scheme is that it is an integrated project, with bus and highways elements to support housing but also a major focus on active travel and improving access to schools. That is what makes this scheme different.'

The A34 MRN scheme is broadly set out to include:

  • enhanced pedestrian and cycle facilities along the A34 corridor including a cycle track and controlled crossings with connections to the wider Greater Manchester cycle network
  • replacement of the existing sub-standard pedestrian subway close to The Kingsway School
  • highway works to support Stanley Green Industrial area
  • highway works to support Cheadle Royal Business Park, including new bus stops
  • highway works to support approved future housing development
  • highway works to mitigate the impacts of planned housing development at North Cheshire Garden Village in Handforth in the future
  • intelligent transportation system solution to support reducing congestion and improve journey times.

The total cost of the scheme has risen since the Government funding was confirmed last summer.

Stockport Council was originally set to put in an additional £0.56m and a further £6.3m would be provided by third-party developers.

Now, the council and third-party providers will put in just under £10m for the increased £43m total joint investment, while the DfT's contribution remains the same.

The package of interlinked projects has also been cut back from 13 individual schemes to 12.

'Scheme 11, (improvements at the A34/A555 roundabout) was discounted from the A34 MRN Scheme package, by Stockport Council, because the proposed cycle network in Cheshire East does not extend to the boundary with Stockport, therefore Scheme 11 as proposed would have no longer connected to any infrastructure within Cheshire East, so no benefits would be attributable,' a DfT spokesperson told Highways.

'This decision to remove Scheme 11 was therefore reviewed and agreed by the Council’s A34 Project Board. The cycle network within the A34 MRN Scheme package has been refined accordingly, and the interaction with Cheshire East will be considered, by the Council, outside of the A34 MRN package.'

Cllr Grace Baynham, cabinet member for parks, highways and transport services at Stockport, told Highways: 'With this scheme and a number of others we have in the pipeline we are developing a really comprehensive and fully connected active travel network.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
This role is fundamental to the success of the Highways Service. Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Major Projects x 4

£45,894.00 - £54,952.00
We are looking for experienced engineers to help us progress a number of key projects and programmes Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Technician - Maintenance

£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highways Contract Engineer

£46,731 - £49,764
The team helps provide a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively.  Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner

£46,731 - £49,764 (pro-rata)
We are looking for an experienced professional to join us on a six-month temporary contact as a Principal Transport Planner. Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative Broughton, Brigg
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
The team includes approximately 60 directly employed HCC people Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Principal Construction Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Construction Manager Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Quality Technician

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Quality Technician Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)Permanent, Full Time£43,960 to £51,718 per annum*Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major Projects)

£44,711 - £47,754
Are you an experienced project professional or engineer with looking to take the next step in your career? Halifax, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Roads

£45,894 - £54,952
Are you an experienced engineer looking to support the Scottish Government’s national objectives. Scotland
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Project Team Manager

£55,147 to £60,676 per annum
We are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity for a role as Design Team Manager Norwich, Norfolk
Recruiter: Norfolk County Council

Clerk of Works

GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Assistant Projects Engineer

GRADE 06 (£29,093 - £32,654),GRADE 07 (£33,366 - £37,035), GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Traffic Management

£45,718 - £48,710 per annum
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Bath, Somerset
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Vehicle Technician - Improver

£28,624 - £30,060
Transport Services is responsible for all aspects of transport and related services Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Programme Delivery Office Administrator

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Officer - Highways Asset Management Systems

£31,586 - £34,314
We are a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving our highway infrastructure. Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW