More than 5,000 jobs will be created in Greater Manchester thanks to a new road improving connections in and around the city to its airport.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling officially opened the A6 Manchester Airport Relief Road today (Thursday, 15 November 2018), which the Department for Transport contributed £165 million towards and which is already shaving a tenth off motorists’ journey times.

The £290 million dual carriageway, which links the A6 at Hazel Grove to the M56, also provides better connections to the £1 billion Airport City business park and development sites in Handforth Dean and Woodford – and will deliver a £2.5 billion boost to the regional economy.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

We are investing more in improving our roads than ever before – making it easier, safer and quicker for people to get where they want to go.

This new road will not only make it easier for people to get to the airport and away on holiday, but it will help businesses in the North West improve their access to world trade through flights from Manchester.

It will also lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and further demonstrating the strength of the North West’s role in the Northern Powerhouse.

Alongside the road, a new pedestrian and cycle path is giving people alternative travel choices to the airport and nearby business park.