Lib Dems keep up pressure for Relief Road

6.03.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 4th Jul 2007

Local Liberal Democrat MPs Mark Hunter and Andrew Stunell have wasted no time after the Cabinet reshuffle in pushing forward the plans to complete the A555 relief road. Cheadle MP Mark Hunter, has today written to the Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly, to request an urgent meeting, before the end of the current Parliamentary session, to discuss how the completion of this road can best be achieved.

This move comes after ex-roads Minister Gillian Merron wrote to local MPs stating that the option put forward by the Government to fund the scheme using PFI (Private Finance Initiative) credits, was no longer viable.

Speaking about the urgency, Mr Hunter said, "This issue needs to be resolved now; the talking has gone on for quite long enough. Local residents have waited far too long already for this relief road to be built and further delays are unacceptable.

The Road Minister's letter came as a big blow to the community who were hoping that after years of waiting the much needed relief road was finally going to get the green light. While the meeting between representatives of the Department of Transport and Stockport Council is to be welcomed, local MPs and the Secretary of State for Transport need to meet in order to maintain the momentum and ensure the Government does not allow this project to fall by the wayside.

Traffic congestion in the area continues to worsen and this relief road is vital to ensuring that residents of both Cheadle and Hazel Grove no longer suffer the daily inconvenience of vehicle chocked roads. I will continue to campaign on this issue, to keep the pressure on Government and ensure that the A555 relief road remains a key priority."