Funding could improve flood-prone airport road

A flood-prone airport link road could be included in drainage work done this year, a council report has said.

Funding may be used to improve routes, including the A555 Manchester Airport Relief Road, by tackling drainage and maintenance issues.

Funding highlighted in Stockport Council's new transport spending programme for the year is understood to be part of regular maintenance and improvement works.

Some money has been set aside to investigate drainage issues, while the majority is focused on completing land transactions from agreements when the road was built, the council report said.

The dual carriageway, located between Hazel Grove and Manchester Airport, was completed in 2018 but has faced regular flooding, often during storms or heavy rainfall.

Most recently there were problems in January after major flooding on New Year's Day in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Heavy rainfall left part of the A555 under water, with cars spotted stranded and submerged on the route.

The road is used by people travelling to and from Manchester Airport, and goes on to join the M56 and A6 at separate ends.

Grace Baynham, Stockport Council's cabinet member for parks, highways and transport services, said there had been several schemes to improve drainage.

"We have invested in several improvements to the drainage on the A555 and we recognise the challenges that we have faced in recent years," she said.

"We are continuing to develop drainage improvement schemes to enhance the resilience of the A555 between the Oil Terminal roundabout and the A34 junction and as part of this process, our teams are currently carrying out surveys of the highway drainage network in this area.

"The funding allocation in 2025/26 includes costs for land purchase and compensation."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.