Plans for £500M bypass rejected as ‘old world solution’ | New Civil Engineer newcivilengineer.com

Councillors have rejected plans for a major bypass linking the M60 and A6 on environmental grounds.
The scheme was slated for inclusion within the final version of the Stockport Economic Strategy, however was pulled after councillors voted against it.
The proposed £500M bypass would have created a ring road around Stockport and was aimed at alleviating congestion problems in the area.
Stockport Council’s previous attempts to get funding from the government for the bypass failed in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
The Labour-run council has now had a change of heart towards the scheme and has rejected it over concerns about its impact on wildlife.
Labour leader Elise Wilson said the road was an “old world solution”. Conservative councillor Oliver Johnstone said the decision was “very frustrating”, while Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Hunter described the decision as a “major surprise”.