A556(M)
A556(M) | ||||||||||||||||
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From: | Over Tabley (SJ722794) | |||||||||||||||
To: | Castle Hill (SJ743858) | |||||||||||||||
Distance: | 6 miles (9.7 km) | |||||||||||||||
Meets: | M6, M56 | |||||||||||||||
Former Number(s): | M60 | |||||||||||||||
Traditional Counties | ||||||||||||||||
Route outline (key) | ||||||||||||||||
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Junction List | ||||||||||||||||
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The A556(M) was a proposed link between M6 junction 19 and M56 junction 7. It was originally planned as part of M60 Sale - Altrincham - Stretford Bypass which was later cancelled.
The proposals were resurrected in the late 1980s and a basic plan was made in 1989. In 1992 detailed plans were drawn up which now included the M56-M62 Link. This link took the mainline so the A556(M) would have had a wide central reservation just south of M56 junction 7. The existing M56 eastbound exit slip would be moved to the west of the current A556. At the M6 end there would be additional carriageways at Knutsford services where the new road would merge. The north facing slips at the services would no longer serve the M6 north.
In 1993 the plans were modified to address some of the shortcomings of the 1992 proposals. The changes were the moving of the M56 junction 7 eastbound exit slip back to a similar location to where it was. The northbound exit slip at the dumbbell junction has been removed. The main change is at Knutsford services where the north facing connection to the M6 has been restored although it requires a new junction at the A5033 which is now dualled westwards to the A556.
The motorway plans were scrapped in 2003 and was replaced by an all-purpose A556 corridor, which has a free-flow connection direct onto the M56 at Bowdon. Construction began in 2014 and was completed in mid-2016.
Links
legislation.gov.uk