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Present Position
Funding has now been approved for this scheme and construction work will start on site in January 2009, for the latest information about progress on the scheme please use the link below.
A34 Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley Bypass Updated Information
Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley are situated on the existing A34 in the east of the County, approximately 20km south of Manchester and 15km north of Congleton.
The A34 through Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley is a key element of the Primary Route Network within Cheshire. Not only does the A34 operate as a through route to Wilmslow and Manchester, it also provides a link to Manchester Airport and the regional motorway network. A number of detrimental effects of the existing high traffic volumes on the A34 have been identified as:-
- Traffic delay
- Safety Risks and pedestrian/vehicle conflict
- A reduction in the quality of the local environment (specifically through vehicle emissions and traffic noise)
- Adverse impact on the economy of the area
- Community severance
The core areas of Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley are designated Conservation Areas and are adversely affected by current heavy traffic volumes. There are conflicts between local traffic flows on the A34, seeking access to frontage development in Alderley Edge village, local schools, side roads and car parks, and through traffic movements. As a consequence, there are delays and safety hazards and traffic speeds through the area are generally low, most markedly during peak periods, which contribute to pollution and a reduction in amenity.
The main aim of the proposed bypass, therefore, is to address the conflicts between through and local traffic movements, relieving congestion on the existing A34 running through Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley. In doing so, the scheme would achieve a significant reduction in the problems of road safety, transport delay, pedestrian difficulties, air pollution, noise and nuisance caused by through traffic on the existing A34.
The proposals for the bypass for Alderley Edge have gone through a number of designs and route alterations since the scheme was first conceived. Planning Permission was granted in 1995 for a dual carriageway bypass, followed by the publication of Side Roads Orders and Compulsory Purchase Orders, and preparations were made for a Public Inquiry in 1996. However the scheme was withdrawn following changes to central government spending priorities which subsequently reduced the national road building programme. Cheshire County Council was directed to examine alternative transport solutions and assess other options for bypass schemes.
Investigations were conducted into alternative schemes and these options were considered through public consultation processes in 1999. This reaffirmed the need for a longer bypass, the alignment similar to that of the 1995 scheme, which would benefit both Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley.
A Planning Application was submitted in May 2002 for a single carriageway scheme in line with that favoured through the 1999 consultation. This generated a large public response. Cheshire County Council addressed the objections raised, the main points being a lowering of the vertical alignment adjacent to the Alderley Edge Golf Course, moving the horizontal alignment further away from Wilton Crescent, amendments to the landscaping, and a bridge under the Crewe - Stockport Railway, along with the removal of a roundabout junction between the bypass and Chelford Road. These amendments were approved by the Council, and a new Planning Application was submitted in May 2003. Following public consideration of the proposal, permission was granted in December 2003, and the Council resolved in early 2004 to make the necessary Side Roads Order and Compulsory Purchase Order.
A Public Inquiry was held in January 2005 into the Side Roads and Compulsory Purchase Orders. The Inspector submitted his report to the Secretary of State for Transport in October 2005, and recommended confirmation of the Orders. That decision to confirm the Orders has been delayed pending the receipt of regional advice on funding.
Route of the Bypass
The new road would provide a bypass to the west of Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley villages and would be 5.4 kilometres long.
The road would have a single 7.3 metre carriageway with 1 metre wide hard strips. A 2 metre combined footway/cycleway would run along both sides over the full length, separated from the kerbed carriageway by a 1 metre wide grass verge. Segregated crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists will be provided at each end at roundabout junctions. The maximum design speed for the new road would be 100k/ph. Street lighting would be provided at each of the two roundabout junctions. New advance direction signs would be erected as required and the approximate positions are indicated on the Side Road Order plans. Kissing gates would be provided in the boundary fence where footpaths cross.
The northern end of the new route is located on A34 Wilmslow Road at the existing Harden Park roundabout, this being the southern end of the A34 Wilmslow - Handforth Bypass. The route proceeds in a south westerly direction on an embankment towards Alderley Edge Golf Course. The route here enters a cutting to the east of the golf course, before descending to pass beneath Brook Lane to reach the low point of the route where drainage water will need to be pumped out of the cutting. Brook Lane would be bridged over the route, close to the existing road. The bypass continues in a south westerly direction south of Brook Lane, rising to near ground level before entering the approach cutting to pass beneath Chelford Road, which would be bridged over the route. South of Chelford Road, the route enters a left - hand bend to turn to a south easterly direction, whilst remaining close to ground level until the approach to the Crewe - Manchester railway line.
The route passes below the railway line and the minor road, Welsh Row, bridges supporting both structures above the new carriageway. The route would be in a cutting of a maximum depth of 7 metres. A pumped drainage system would be required to pump surface water from the cutting. Beyond Welsh Row the route ascends to near ground level and passes to the west of Rectors Plantation and to the east of Heawood Hall before terminating at a new roundabout which links the existing road at Froglane Plantation.
Mitigation Works
The large volume of traffic generates noise, fumes and vibration which adversely affect the environment along the existing A34 corridor through Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley. A bypass that removes through traffic would significantly improve the environment in the two villages.
The relatively low number of properties in the vicinity of the bypass would suffer from noise and visual obtrusion, but this would be reduced by the landscaping and planting proposed as part of the scheme. A number of mitigation mounds would be constructed along the highway corridor to reduce the potential adverse effect of moving traffic upon residential properties and public rights of way. The immediate mitigating effect of the mounding would be complemented in the longer term by a very generous planting scheme, involving the establishment of 16 hectares of woodland, using over 40,000 native trees and shrubs. The severity of impact upon certain sensitive sites would therefore reduce considerably over time as the planting scheme matures.
One positive consequence of the extensive visual mitigation measures within the wider landscape scheme would be the establishment of many significant areas of woodland. In some areas, new blocks of woodland would be introduced into a field system currently devoid of woodland cover. In addition the proposed development would involve the creation of a number of new ponds and open watercourses that would be designed to add visual interest to the route as well as providing new wildlife habitats. Noise attenuation fencing would be erected in sensitive areas.
For further information about this scheme please contact:
Dave Wilkinson, Highways Service
Telephone No - 01244 973835
Email - dave.wilkinson@cheshire.gov.uk
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