A34 Improvement Plan Stockport Council is consulting on a proposed scheme along the A34 corridor between the A560 and A555 to alleviate congestion, unlock growth potential in the surrounding area and enhance accessibility by sustainable modes. In 2018, the Government designated the A34 as part of a Major Road Network, or MRN of routes, which they are seeking to improve. In February 2020, the Government awarded a grant to Stockport Council to develop proposals for part of the A34 in the Borough. The improvements are designed to: support sustainable travel with a 5.6km pedestrian and cycle route along the A34 corridor. This includes a segregated cycle track and controlled crossings with connections to the wider Greater Manchester Cycle Bee network and local public rights of way; Support businesses with works to improve access to the Cheadle Royal Business Park and the Stanley Green Industrial area by improving key junctions and providing better walking and cycling access; support new homes and development with improvements to junctions to provide access to and mitigate the impact of any proposed new housing development; Support education with replacement of an existing subway beneath the A34 at Kingsway School to provide a better link for the split school site and allow for a key east-west cycle route; Support motorists with improved junction layouts to reduce congestion, improve safety and provide enhanced driver information on new variable message signs. The consultation runs from 5th October to 13th November 2020 I will now give a summary of the proposals, more details, including drawings, are available online at: www.stockport.gov.uk/consultations Scheme 1 - Gatley Road The proposal at Gatley Road is for a controlled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists on the A560 providing a link between Milton Crescent and Wensley Road. It will include provision of segregated pedestrian and cycle facilities on Gatley Road close to the crossing. A 20mph speed limit with traffic calming measures is proposed on the Wensley Road estate and traffic calming on Milton Crescent and High Grove Road. Scheme 2 - Wilmslow Road The proposal is for a signal controlled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists on Wilmslow Road, connecting Broadway and Brookfields Park This will take the form of Either Option 1: A Toucan type crossing across Wilmslow Road at the end of Brookfield Crescent connecting via an opening in the park wall and a new path to the main drive in Brookfields Park; Or Option 2: Signalisation of the junction at Broadway and Wilmslow Road with controlled crossings and a new cycle track connecting to the entrance of Brookfields Park. Scheme 3 - Broadway A traffic calmed route along Broadway is proposed with raised speed tables located at each junction to slow traffic and hence facilitate on carriageway cycling. Upgraded crossing facilities including an improved Toucan type crossing for pedestrians and cyclists will be provided at the western end of Broadway. Scheme 4 - The Kingsway School Subway Construction of a new wide subway under the A34 at Kingway School, linking the two parts of the school site and also providing for a high quality, safe, step free walking and cycling route between Broadway and Foxland Road. Scheme 5 - A34 Kingsway from Broadway to Cheadle Royal The proposal here is to provide cycle facilities on both sides of the A34 between the Kingsway School Subway and Cheadle Royal roundabout. This will include a high quality segregated pedestrian and cycle route on the west side of the A34 connecting Foxland Road with the Cheadle Royal junction; and either Option 1: A shared pedestrian and cycle route on the east side of the A34 for the full distance between Broadway and the Cheadle Royal junction Or Option 2: A cycle route following the service road for 261-321 Kingsway and a shared pedestrian and cycle route on the east side of the A34 from the south end of the service road to the Cheadle Royal junction. Scheme 6 - Cheadle Royal Junction Modifications are proposed at the Cheadle Royal roundabout to improve traffic operation including an extended slip road for northbound traffic, local widening and remarking and signal control of the A34 southbound off slip and Cheadle Royal Business Park exit. New controlled crossings and routes for pedestrians and cyclists will be provided throughout the junction. New bus stops will be provided on Wilmslow Road and landscaping will be improved. Scheme 7 - A34 Kingsway South from Cheadle Royal to Stanley Road A new cycle route is proposed along the west side of the A34 all the way from the Cheadle Royal junction to Stanley Road. This will include the following sections: A cycle path from the Cheadle Royal roundabout to the south end of the Cheadle Royal Retail Park car park; An upgraded segregated pedestrian and cycle path from the Cheadle Royal Retail Park to Etchells Road and a new signal pedestrian and cycle crossing on Etchells Road. A segregated pedestrian and cycle path from Etchells Road to Eden Park Roundabout with a connection to Bradshaw Hall Lane; A shared pedestrian and cycle path along the verge of the A34 from Eden Park Roundabout to Stanley Green Roundabout. Scheme 8 - Eden Park Roundabout Works here will involve Complete remodelling of the junction to create a roundabout with through lanes for ahead traffic a fourth arm to the west, widening the A34 to 3-lanes through the junction and new controlled crossings for pedestrians and cyclists on all arms. Scheme 9 – The Stanley Road / Earl Road signal Junction It is proposed to widen the approaches to the junction to 2 lanes on the southern (Earl Road) arm and western (Stanley Road) arm to increase junction capacity. Controlled crossings will be provided for pedestrians and cyclists on all arms. Connecting shared footway and cycleways will join the junction to the A34, the footpath to Eden Park and will be provided on Earl Road as far as the A555. Improvements will be made to the path from Earl Road to the A34 for connection to the A555 cycle route. Scheme 10 - The A34 / B5094 Stanley Road Roundabout It is proposed to widen the A34 at the junction to four lanes in both directions to increase capacity and mitigate traffic impact from the proposed Garden Village Handforth proposal. This work will include carriageway widening and provision of gantry mounted signals. Please note that the introduction of a controlled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists on Stanley Road on the east side of the junction is an already approved Bee Network proposal. Scheme 11 - The A34 / A555 Junction Widening is proposed of the A555 westbound off slip and circulatory carriageway on the south side of the A34 roundabout to increase capacity and mitigate traffic impact from the proposed Garden Village Handforth proposal. Works will involve carriageway widening and provision of gantry mounted signals. Scheme 12 - The Eden Park Cycle Route An off carriageway cycle and pedestrian route is proposed linking Stanley Road to Bruntwood Park via the Eden Park estate. This includes: Improvements to surfacing and lighting from Stanley Road to Eden Park Road; Path widening on Bruntwood Lane between Bradshaw Hall Lane and Etchells Road; A signal controlled pedestrian and cycle crossing on Etchells Road; Widening and lighting of Bruntwood Lane in Bruntwood Park from the southern park entrance to the car park; Lighting Bruntwood Lane from the car park to Valley Road. How do you have your say? Stockport Council is running a 6-week consultation on the proposals, from 5th to 13th November 2020, and we want to hear your views. All comments will be collected and analysed to help inform the development of the scheme. You may go online to www.stockport.gov.uk/consultations You may email us, at a34improvements@stockport.gov.uk By Post you can writew to: A34 Consultation, Services to Place, Stopford House, Stockport, SK1 3XE By telephone, you can phone and leave a messsage at 0161 474 3434 Thank you for listening.