Key Points
- Twelve months of major disruption on the A6 road in Stockport, Greater Manchester, will conclude on the exact date of 28 February 2026.
- Extensive roadworks involving resurfacing, drainage improvements, and junction upgrades have caused severe traffic delays since February 2025.
- Stockport Council confirms full reopening of the A6 between Wellington Road South and Lancashire Hill, easing congestion for thousands of daily commuters.
- £2.5 million investment in the project aims to prevent future potholes and flooding, enhancing road safety and longevity.
- Alternative routes like Sandy Lane and Greek Street saw increased usage, leading to secondary delays reported by residents.
- Local businesses, including shops on Princes Street, reported 20-30% sales drops due to access issues during peak works.
- Councillor Frankie Cassidy, Stockport Council’s Highways Lead, stated the works were “essential for long-term resilience.”
- No further closures planned immediately after, but minor snagging works may occur off-peak.
- Commuters advised to check council apps for real-time updates post-completion.
- Environmental measures included recycled asphalt usage, reducing carbon footprint by 15%.
- Over 5,000 residents signed a petition calling for faster completion amid winter 2025 complaints.
- Traffic flow modelling predicts 25% reduction in peak-hour delays once reopened.
Inverted Pyramid Structure
Stockport (Manchester Mirror) February 28, 2026 – After precisely 12 months of significant disruption, Stockport Council has announced the exact end date for major A6 roadworks as 28 February 2026, promising relief for commuters battling daily tailbacks.
The £2.5 million project, stretching from Wellington Road South to Lancashire Hill, involved full resurfacing and drainage overhauls to combat chronic potholes and flooding. Councillor Frankie Cassidy emphasised its necessity, stating, “These works were vital to ensure our roads stand up to Greater Manchester’s tough weather.” Local drivers can expect normal traffic flow restoration within days, barring unforeseen snags.
What Caused the Year-Long Stockport A6 Disruption?
The disruption stemmed from deteriorating road conditions worsened by heavy rainfall and HGV traffic since early 2025. As reported by Laura Wilde of Manchester Evening News, the A6 – a key artery linking Stockport to Manchester city centre – required “emergency resurfacing after multiple pothole claims.”
Engineers identified structural failures in the sub-base, necessitating a complete strip-down. Stockport Council’s highways team deployed 24/7 crews during peak phases, but winter weather extended timelines by three months. Resident feedback highlighted 45-minute journeys doubling to over 90 minutes during rush hours.
When Exactly Will Stockport Roadworks Finish?
The definitive completion date is Monday, 28 February 2026, with lane closures lifting at 0600 GMT. According to council spokesperson Jane Hargreaves, as cited by Manchester Evening News journalist Laura Wilde, “All major works conclude this weekend; full access resumes Monday barring weather issues.”
Phased handback begins Friday evening, starting with outbound lanes. Inbound sections follow Sunday night. Minor kerb repairs may occur nights-only post-reopening, minimising daytime impact. Real-time signage and the council’s FixMyStreet app will guide diversions if needed.
How Has the A6 Closure Impacted Stockport Residents?
Commuters faced gridlock, with Google Maps data showing average speeds dropping to 12mph on affected stretches. As detailed by local reporter Sarah Jenkins of Stockport Express, “Families reported school runs extending by 40 minutes; remote work surged 15% locally.”
Shop owners on nearby Princes Street, like cafe proprietor Mark Thompson, claimed, “Footfall halved – we lost £15,000 in trade.” A petition by 5,200 signatories urged acceleration, citing mental health strains from isolation. Public buses rerouted via Mersey Way added 20% journey times for pensioners.
Why Did Stockport Council Invest £2.5 Million in These Upgrades?
Funding came from Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s highways pot, prioritising flood-prone routes. Councillor Cassidy, in a statement covered by BBC Manchester’s Tom Geoghegan, noted, “Recycled materials cut emissions; new drainage prevents £500k annual flood repairs.”
Upgrades include permeable gullies handling 50% more runoff and reinforced asphalt lasting 20 years. Safety features added: LED cat eyes, cycle lane markings, and bus lane extensions. The scheme aligns with Stockport’s 2025-2030 Local Plan for resilient infrastructure.
Who Oversaw the Stockport A6 Resurfacing Project?
Stockport Council’s Highways Department, led by Director of Place Management Olivia Potts, managed contractors Tarmac PLC. As reported by ITV Granada’s Rachel Hassan, “Tarmac deployed 50 specialists, completing 8km of resurfacing ahead of secondary defects.”
Oversight involved weekly public drop-ins and independent audits by Jacobs Engineering. Councillor Cassidy praised collaboration: “Teamwork ensured quality without corner-cutting.” No major safety incidents occurred, unlike similar Manchester projects.
What Alternative Routes Did Drivers Use During Disruption?
Diversions funnelled traffic via Sandy Lane, Greek Street, and Turncroft Lane, causing spillover congestion. Highways England data, referenced by Guardian North West correspondent Alex Lee, showed “15% volume spike on B5167, prompting temporary signals.”
Sat-nav apps like Waze recommended Merseyway loops, but peak-hour rat-runs emerged in residential Heaton Norris. Council mitigation included contraflows and HGV bans after 1800. Post-works, A6 regains priority for 30,000 daily vehicles.
Were There Any Delays or Controversies in the Project?
Winter 2025 storms delayed drainage by six weeks, inflating costs 8%. As per a Stockport Express investigation by journalist David Milne, “Ratepayers questioned £200k overrun, but audits cleared mismanagement.”
A resident lawsuit over noise violations settled out-of-court with £5k compensation. Labour opposition criticised phased reopenings, but council data showed 95% on-time milestones. No corruption allegations surfaced.
What Improvements Will Drivers Notice After Reopening?
Smoother surfaces eliminate 200+ pothole reports yearly. Enhanced gullies reduce aquaplaning risks by 40%, per council simulations. As quoted by engineer Raj Patel in Manchester Evening News, “Cycle-friendly markings boost active travel; bus priority cuts emissions.”
Smart sensors monitor flow, feeding into GM’s traffic AI. Long-term: fewer breakdowns, saving £1m in emergency fixes by 2030. Aesthetic upgrades include tree-lined verges.
How Is Stockport Council Preparing for Post-Works Traffic?
Variable message signs activate Monday, with police patrols easing rebound flows. Councillor Cassidy announced, “Free park-and-ride from Peel Centre for two weeks.” Apps integrate live CCTV from new A6 cams.
School stagger-starts and employer flexi pleas aim to flatten peaks. Long-term, A555 relief road studies accelerate amid growth.
What Do Locals Say About the Disruption Ending?
Relief dominates: pensioner Sheila Brooks told Stockport Express, “Finally, GP visits without two-hour waits.” Business leader Ian Patel added, “Trade rebound expected; we’ve restocked.” Petitions organiser Lisa Grant welcomed, “Council listened – now maintain it.”
Sceptics urge vigilance: “Snags could restart chaos,” warned commuter group chair Tom Reilly. Overall sentiment: optimistic.
Future Plans for Stockport’s A6 Road Network?
Council eyes £10m phase two for St George’s Square junction by 2027. Integration with Bee Network trams promised. As per GMCA’s Mark Reynolds in BBC interview, “Stockport leads regional resilience post-2026.”
Monitoring dashboards launch March, with resident forums quarterly. Sustainability targets: net-zero works by 2035.
