wilmslow

Changes are being proposed to the A538 Altrincham Road/Mobberley Road junction due to the expected increase in congestion caused by the construction of HS2.

Construction vehicles accessing compounds together with temporary road closures and diversions are expected to result in significant delays for users of A538 Altrincham Road and Mobberley Road - therefore traffic lights are set to be installed at the junction.

The traffic management measures will remain in place permanently following construction and will include:• construction of a junction in a new position to the north of the existing junction. The existing junction will remain open during this period;• closure of the existing junction upon completion of the new junction;• signalisation of the new junction with left and right turn controls on new traffic islands.• realignment of the footway in both directions to the new kerb line with a minimum 2m width;• provision of a pedestrian crossing across the junction in both directions; and• relocation of an existing bus stop for route 88, approximately 140m west of its existing location on Mobberley Road.

Temporary traffic signals will be installed to control movements at the junction during construction.

Nathaniel Fuller, Community Engagement Advisor said "The A538 Altrincham Road/Mobberley Road junction is not on a HS2 construction route and will therefore not be used by HS2 HGVs. However, the traffic modelling has identified a significant effect at the junction due to an increase in congestion caused by a change in traffic flows."

"The change in traffic at this junction is due to a combination of HS2 workforce traffic (workers travelling to and from the HS2 compounds) and a redistribution of existing traffic on the wider highway network as a result of HS2 construction activities elsewhere (e.g. drivers choosing to take alternative routes because of works at M56 J6).

"In order to mitigate that impact, the proposed signalised junction has been developed to better manage the forecast change in traffic flows at the junction."

Additional land is permanently required for modifications to A538 Altrincham Road and Mobberley Road junction. In addition, this will result in the removal of approximately 230m of existing hedgerow.

This proposal is included within the second Additional Provision (AP2) to the Crewe – Manchester Bill, which was submitted to Parliament in January 2002.

Lindsey Preece, Senior Communications Manager, told said "Subject to the Parliamentary process, we expect to achieve Royal Assent (powers to build and operate the railway) in December 2025. Early works to prepare for construction of the Crewe – Manchester extension would begin in 2026 and we would expect the main civils programme to commence around 2027, lasting for around six years.

"HS2 will appoint construction partners to carry out the civil works programme, and once on board, they will provide a more detailed assessment of when individual programmes of work, like the A538 Altrincham Road and Mobberley road junction improvement, will take place. Our early assessments indicate this this is likely to be around 2028."

She added "Anyone directly or specially impacted by the proposals has the right to petition. Petitions must be submitted by 17.00 on 15th August 2023."