Dualling of A500 moves a step closer

Cheshire East Council has moved a step closer with plans to dual the A500 by obtaining planning permission and identifying a main contractor.

The plans, which were agreed at a meeting of the strategic planning board on 19 December 2018 and a meeting of the cabinet on 15 January 2019, would see the A500 made into a dual carriageway between M6 Junction 16 and the Meremoor Moss roundabout.

These improvements aim to improve the capacity of the carriageway, easing the traffic congestion that is currently experienced, and supporting future development growth, particularly from the arrival of HS2 at Crewe.

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for environment, said: “The A500 is a key piece of infrastructure that links Crewe and surrounding areas to the M6 motorway.

“It has been a long-held ambition to dual this section of road to improve connectivity and road safety. The proposed A500 dualling scheme is a key component of the council’s Local Plan, which seeks to deliver employment land opportunities and houses, while improving traffic flow.

“It is also key to our plans around HS2, which will accommodate future construction traffic needed for building phase 2a and the Crewe HS2 hub station.

“The planning permission and funding decision means we can now continue with the programme of work towards our £55m project.”  

The construction for the dualling aims to start in early 2020.