Trafford Council to press on with £76.5m 'New Carrington' road

Campaigners are concerned about the loss of peatland and natural habitats on Carrington Moss

A council said it planned to press on with an "essential" £76.5m relief road.

The 'New Carrington' road in Trafford, which was first proposed more than a decade ago, is aimed at cutting traffic congestion on the single existing road in and out of the area.

The long-term project includes 5,000 homes and a 350,000m² business area.

Trafford Council said it hoped to get planning permission for the relief road by the end of the year.

Campaigners oppose the plans because the road will cross some greenbelt land on Carrington Moss peat bog.

'Absolutely key'

Councillor Liz Patel, executive member for economy and regeneration on the Labour controlled authority, told BBC Radio Manchester the road was "absolutely key" to supporting communities in Partington and Carrington.

The new road was "absolutely key" for residents in Partington and Carrington, said councillor Liz Patel

People living in Partington and Carrington suffered from poor public transport connections, she said.

"For decades they've been locked out, stuck in traffic queues, held back really," she added.

The preferred route for the relief road would see it cross Carrington Moss between Isherwood Road in Carrington and the Banky Lane junction of the A6144 Carrington Spur close to the M60.

'Much-loved green space'

Friends of Carrington Moss chairperson Marj Powner, who has lived on its doorstep for 40 years, said she was horrified at the idea of building a new road across the area.

"When you get on to the moss, most of what you can hear is birds and nature, and that is so peaceful. We will lose that," she said.

She added that "the majority of land that's available for the public to walk on will not be here anymore".

More than 1,600 people have signed a petition against the planned road.

Partington resident Paul Hughes said proper infrastructure was needed for the 5,000 new homes

Campaigners are also concerned about the loss of peatland and natural habitats on the moss.

Trafford Council said peat was "not considered to be a significant constraint" on development.

The council's Mrs Patel said that most of the road would travel through a former petrochemical works, which she described as "the epitome" of a brownfield site.

Paul Hughes, 63, from Partington, said he was "quite happy" with the plans but believed new infrastructure such as "schools, doctors and a supermarket" were needed to support the 5,000 new homes.

'Masterplan'

Kafayat Khan, whose family runs a household and hardware shop at Partington Shopping Centre, said the relief road would make it easier to get in and out of the area.

"It's amazing because most of the time on that main road there are a lot of roadworks and with big lorries, it makes it a bit difficult coming into work," he added.

Kafayat Khan said the new road would be a "big thing" for his family's business

Mr Khan, 24, said he believed thousands of new homes would mean more customers.

The 'New Carrington' proposal is linked to Greater Manchester's 'Places for Everyone' masterplan which outlines development plans for new homes and infrastructure across nine authorities in the city region over the next 15 years.

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