Mark upbeat after ministerial meeting

11.15.57am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 8th Dec 2005

The relief road would ease congestion locally

Local MPs Mark Hunter and Andrew Stunell joined forces with neighbouring MP Nicholas Winterton for a special meeting with Roads Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman to press for a decision on the SEMMMS/A555 relief road.

The detailed technical case for the much needed road scheme, which has involved high levels of co-operation between Stockport, Manchester and Macclesfield councils, was completed earlier this year and has been examined in detail by civil servants in Whitehall.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Mark said, "I was very pleased that Mr Ladyman agreed to meet with us as I think it is important that the government understands just how vital this project is if we are ever too relieve the pressure of traffic on our residential roads. Many people are now having to live with the reality of minor roads struggling to cope with volumes of traffic they were never intended to take."

"After having been cancelled by successive governments, it's about time we had the go-ahead for this vital scheme and I am delighted to report that Dr Ladyman did accept both the economic case and the environmental case for the road were robust. However, the key thing is paying for it and with all the delays, the costs have understandably escalated. Nonetheless, as this scheme has been confirmed as a priority for our region, I remain optimistic about our chances when the final decision comes - as we expect - next Spring."