Government £45m grant signals green light for Congleton link road

Construction of another major road scheme in Cheshire East can go ahead following confirmation of a £45m government grant.

The 5.5km (3.5 mile) Congleton Link Road will relieve the town centre of frustrating traffic congestion and unlock key sites for housing and employment. It represents a huge economic boost for the town and will significantly improve connectivity from the Macclesfield area to the M6 corridor.

The £90m scheme will link the A536 Macclesfield Road to the north with the A534 Sandbach Road to the west and will be the third major highways infrastructure project in as many years.

The transport minister, Liz Sugg, has confirmed that Cheshire East Council’s business case for the road is approved and that a £45m grant will come from the Department for Transport, supplementing the £24m to be met by Cheshire East. The balance will come from developer funding.

Glen Williams, Cheshire East Council deputy cabinet member for environment, said: “This is excellent news and we are delighted that the government has shown faith in our business case, our ability to deliver and has recognised the need for this road project to go ahead.

“We recognise that while the works are underway, there may be some inconvenience for residents and road users, but we will be working hard with our chosen contractor, Graham Construction, to minimise any impacts.

“In the long term, however, the link road will have a considerable beneficial impact on Congleton and its residents, and we now look forward to getting a spade in the ground.”

The new road is due to be completed in late 2020 and will unlock sites for up to 2,400 new homes and 50 acres of employment land, creating the potential to generate 3,000 jobs by 2035, delivering £13m into the local economy.

Transport minister Liz Sugg, said: “This new bypass will not only lead to fewer accidents and cut congestion in Congleton, it will take lorries out of the town centre and improve air quality for its residents.”

It is the third major road scheme in Cheshire East in the past four years, following completion of the Basford West Spine Road and the Crewe Green Link Road together with the current major upgrade to Crewe Green Roundabout, which is well underway.

A public consultation showed just under 95 per cent of the public supported the Congleton scheme.