The £90 million Congleton link road has scooped two prestigious awards from the Institute of Highways Engineers’ (Mercia Branch) and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.
The link road, which is Cheshire East Council’s largest infrastructure project to date, won ‘Large Project of the Year’ at awards ceremonies hosted by both organisations, and follows a Civil Engineering Contractors’ North West award last October for social value.
The project team, made up of Cheshire East Council and contractors Graham and Ringway Jacobs’ staff, delivered the 5.5km Wolstenholme Elmy Way – on budget – against a backdrop of severe challenges of exceptional wet weather and disruption due to the Covid pandemic.
Cllr Craig Browne, chair of Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee, said:
“These awards are entirely well-deserved accolades for the whole team for their commitment, passion and dedication to delivering the council’s biggest infrastructure scheme to date.
“This project not only delivers improved connectivity – between Macclesfield, Congleton, the surrounding area and the M6 – but has also helped reduce congestion and benefited air quality in Congleton town centre, whilst releasing 20 hectares of new employment land with the potential to create 3,000 jobs by 2035.
“This scheme is a cornerstone of Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan vision for creating sustainable, jobs-led growth and vibrant communities.
“The whole team should be proud of their commitment to delivering a high-quality scheme in challenging circumstances, while ensuring that engaging with local people, keeping them informed and improving communities was always at the heart of the project.”
Alastair Lewis, contracts director for Graham, said:
“These latest awards are fantastic and well-deserved recognition for the whole team for their hard work and dedication to delivering a first-class project.
“Despite the challenge created by the Covid pandemic, we were able to deliver a complex scheme within budget – and as close to the original schedule as possible – while also helping support many local community projects in the local area.”
Contractors on the route, Graham, are currently partnering with Cheshire East Council again to deliver the Poynton Relief Road, allowing through traffic between Macclesfield, Stockport and the A555 Airport Link Road to avoid the village centre and reduce congestion in the area. The route is expected to open towards the end of the year.