Consultation launches for M6 junction upgrade near Knutsford
Consultation to be launched this Wednesday (17 August) as plans to improve junction 19 on the M6 near Knutsford gets underway.
Drivers, business owners and residents will be able to find out more about plans for major improvements to junction 19 of the M6 near Knutsford when a new consultation launches on Wednesday 17 August.
The busy junction – on a key route to Manchester and the airport – needs to be upgraded to meet the expected increase in traffic following the completion of the M6 smart motorway and A556 link road projects, which are both currently underway.
The junction improvements are due to start by spring 2020 and will be carried out by contractors for Highways England, improving access to the M56 and providing better and more reliable journeys for drivers.
The scheme is part of the government’s £15 billion roads investment strategy, which is transforming the road network and improving connections between cities.
Two public information events are taking place on Wednesday 17 August between 12pm and 9pm at The Windmill Inn, Chester Road, Tabley; and on Saturday 17 September between 10am and 5pm at The Curzon Cinema, Toft Road, Knutsford.
More information on the scheme and a feedback form will also be available from Wednesday 17 August on Highways England’s web page for the consultation.
During the 5-week consultation, which is due to conclude on Friday 23 September, members of the public will be asked to comment on two options of improvements for junction 19.
Option A includes creating a new road on a bridge over the junction, providing a better link between the M6 and A556. Option B includes extra lanes on the existing roundabout to increase capacity and new traffic lights.
Highways England Project Manager Irene Ofei said:
The changes will help reduce congestion in the future, improving safety and journey times for all road users and providing better links for residents and businesses to key roads in the area.
We will also improve access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This scheme builds on our investment in the area, with the M6 smart motorway scheme and the A556 improvement scheme both currently underway.
I’d definitely encourage people to come along to one of the consultation events in Tabley and Knutsford to let us know what they think of the plans, or to visit our website for more details.
Work is currently taking place on a new A556 link road between the M56 and the M6, bypassing the existing A556. A new smart motorway is also being created between junctions 16 and 19 of the M6, where the hard shoulder is being converted to an extra lane and variable speed limits will be used on overhead electronic signs to keep traffic flowing.
Following the public consultation for the junction 19 improvements, a finalised plan will be developed and announced. At this stage, there will be another opportunity for the public to make comments about how the work will be carried out.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.