The A6 Manchester Airport Relief Road has officially opened today, 15 November, improving connections from the city to its airport.

The £290 million dual carriageway links the A6 at Hazel Grove to the M56 and also provides better connections to the £1 billion Airport City business park and development sites in Handforth Dean and Woodford.

It is expected to create more than 5,000 jobs in Greater Manchester and deliver a £2.5 billion boost to the regional economy.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, who opened the road, said: "We are investing more in improving our roads than ever before – making it easier, safer and quicker for people to get where they want to go.

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"This new road will not only make it easier for people to get to the airport and away on holiday, but it will help businesses in the North West improve their access to world trade through flights from Manchester.

"It will also lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and further demonstrating the strength of the North West's role in the Northern Powerhouse."

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, added: "This new road connects Manchester Airport with the people and businesses of Stockport, Manchester and East Cheshire. It was only made possible by Department for Transport and Greater Manchester Combined Authority funds and it is a good example of central government working together with a city-region to deliver major infrastructure that improves people’s lives.

"The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road will enable people to make quicker and easier journeys, and will cut congestion, especially on local roads. The supporting cycling and walking infrastructure will also make active travel more attractive and safer for more people and supports our ambition to make them the first and natural choice for short journeys.

"Greater Manchester is emerging as a world-class city-region and we want to work with government to deliver a transport system to support it."

(CM/MH)