A major milestone has been reached on the £53 million Poynton Relief Road project.

The final five bridge beams have been lifted into place for the new Chester Road bridge.

A 500-tonne crane was used to lift the 22.5m-long beams into position, with each beam weighing 37.8 tonnes. The operation was completed within a day and the beams now form part of the largest structure in the scheme.

The 3km Poynton Relief Road will relieve Poynton and neighbouring areas of high traffic volumes and congestion as well as improve air quality for residents and open up employment land.

During March, concrete will be poured to form the west abutment for the Adlington bridge, marking the completion of all major concrete works across all the project's structures. Other ongoing works include installation of drainage systems.

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A second season of major earthworks will start early next month. The road is due to open to traffic at the end of the year.

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of the authority's highways and transport committee, said: "This is an impressive achievement by our construction contractors Graham, and a key milestone in progressing this important and long-awaited scheme. I congratulate all on a smooth operation.

"This scheme shows the council’s commitment to deliver major infrastructure improvements for Cheshire East and will improve links to Macclesfield, the surrounding area, south Manchester and the airport. It will also open up some much-needed employment land, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the area."

The relief road will include two overbridge crossings for use by walkers, cyclists and farm vehicles and a 3.5m-wide combined cycle and footway, which will run beside the length of the route in the western verge.