Take ten minutes to tell them "Get On With It"!
October 10, 2003 12:00 AM
By Andrew Stunell MP in Article for Hazel Grove and Bramhall Community News
By Andrew Stunell MP in Article for Hazel Grove and Bramhall Community News
For years my constituency post-bag has bulged with letters from angry road users, sick and tired of being stuck in traffic jams, of breathing in someone else's exhaust fumes, or just risking life and limb walking to the shops. This month every Community News reader can do something easy to stop all that. Ten minutes work that could cut congestion, reduce pollution, and greatly improve the quality of life of our area.
Perhaps that sounds too much like those phone calls telling you that you now qualify for a wonderful holiday for two, but only if you agree to go to their presentation…..!
So let me explain. After years of campaigning for the Hazel Grove By-pass, and many set-backs, a new transport plan has been accepted by the Government. Called the South East Manchester Multi Modal Study (SEMMMS), it proposes extensions to the Metro tram to Stockport and then to Bredbury and up to Marple, much more attention to better bus connections, new cycle routes, and steps to make walking safer, too. Some of that work is already in progress. But most important for our area, it also agreed that there has to be a new road link from the M60 at Bredbury through to Woodford, with the absolutely vital Hazel Grove/Stepping Hill Link included to take traffic off the A6 in the Grove.
Of course you know all this, but the good news is that the details of the new road - now called the A555 - have now been drawn up, and it is your chance to have your say about it. Every household will be getting information and a questionnaire asking you if you are in favour of the new road layout, and also what you think about some of the junction details.
It is very important that there is a big response to the questionnaire. Last time there was an official survey more than 6,000 people responded, with more than two thirds in favour of the road. That sign of huge support was very influential with the Department of Transport when they weighed up whether to back the scheme. Now we are getting down to the details we must once again impress them with a big response.
So do you agree that we need a new route to take traffic off Torkington Road and Offerton Road? Are you in favour or against the Stepping Hill Link round Hazel Grove? Do you have strong views about the planned junctions where the A555 crosses existing roads? The proposed road follows the line of the original motorway, but is very much slimmed down in size, and designed for 50mph speeds, allowing much more room for environmental protection measures on sensitive lengths like that near Offerton Green. Are there any special steps that are needed to safeguard that area?
Even if all you want to say is "Just Get On With It" do take the time to tell them! We need every bit of evidence to put the pressure on for action.
Once the consultation is over the detailed drawings will be done, and a Public Inquiry will be held, probably in about 12 months time. Hopefully that will be short and sweet, and construction can start in 2006 - three years from now - and the road be open in 2009. When it comes it will make a fantastic difference to our local environment, and coupled with the other SEMMMS projects will really improve the quality of living, particularly in Hazel Grove, but also in communities right across the south of Stockport Borough.
Please take the time to read the questionnaire when it comes, fill it in and send it back.
End
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats