A6144(M) Extension Announced

Chris unearthed this surprising news on the Greater Manchester Council website. Ahem.

A6144(M) Sale Western Bypass, Connecting Roads and Commuter Station Scheme (2002)
A new scheme has been unveiled by Greater Manchester Council to provide a new relief road to the east of Sale which will both ease traffic on the A56 through the town and provide a new commuter park and ride scheme for traffic heading into the centre of Manchester.

The new road will retain the A6144(M) designation and will be built to the same standard.

From its current southern terminus, the road will leave a new interchange with the A6144, comprising a new flyover so that the majority of through traffic no longer has to stop at the traffic lights. Only traffic on the A6144(M) itself will now stop at the lights. It will head south from here to the existing railway between Altrincham and Partington, which will be upgraded to take a new commuter service.

A new station will be constructed at the point where the bypass crosses the line along with a large car park. For easy access, the A6144(M) will be routed through the middle of the car parking facility. A new level crossing will be provided, and if traffic levels justify them new lights and barriers will also be added in due course.

A new link road is to be provided to allow residents of Sale to take advantage of the new service. It will run from the A56 in Sale, parallel to the railway, and will be numbered the B5165(M). It will join the A6144(M) at a mini-roundabout. The new link road will be single-track and surfaced with high-grade gravel.

South of the railway, a new wooden bridge will be built to cross the canal, since a ford was ruled out by planners. It will then cross the B5164, using a traditional set of Give Way signs to ensure that the B5164 has priority.

The bypass will join the A56 again at the existing A56/A556 roundabout. To reduce costs, a traditional roundabout entry will traffic island will not be built, and instead the kerb will simply be dropped to let traffic cross the footpath and join the A6144(M).

Work is expected to start in Summer 2003.