Poynton relief road opens

The new relief road that diverts traffic from Macclesfield to Stockport and Manchester Airport away from Poynton village centre has now opened.

The long-awaited route, dubbed Roy Chadwick Way after the local aircraft designer, opened to cyclists and pedestrians on Friday 3rd March, with cars and other vehicles able to use the road from 6th March. 

The new 3.5 km road features a segregated cycle and footway for its entire length along the western edge and aims to help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in Poynton and improve journey times between Stockport and Macclesfield, connecting to the A555 Manchester Airport Relief Road. The construction of the new route has also opened up new sites along the route for development for businesses.

The route was formally opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony which took place on 3rd March at 10.30am. 

A fly-past by a 1950 military aircraft, and a parade of veteran cars, tractors and motorbikes crowned the completion of Cheshire East’s latest major road scheme.

Right on cue, an Avro-Anson former reconnaissance plane circled above as the Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor David Marren, prepared to cut the ribbon to mark the completion of the £53m Poynton relief road, named after the celebrated wartime aircraft designer Roy Chadwick.

Friday’s event was attended by dignitaries from Cheshire East Council, Stockport Council, the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, the contractors Graham, and special guests from the RAF as well as local landowners. The Mayors of Poynton and Cheshire East, and deputy mayor of Stockport were also present.

Roy Chadwick was a highly acclaimed aircraft designer, who sadly died during a test flight at nearby Woodford in 1947. A memorial board listing his achievements was unveiled at the side of the new road last November. 

Friday’s ceremony involved a parade of veteran Rolls Royce cars, other veteran and vintage cars, but the highlight will be a fly past by a 1953 Mk2 Avro Anson aircraft, the type used in reconnaissance and RAF training exercises after the war.

Roy Chadwick designed the earlier versions of the twin engine plane at the A V Roe factory in Woodford, but was responsible for the design and development of many more early-age aircraft prior to his death aged 54.