WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

Please register for free to leave your comments in the 'Your Say' box below.

Readers can also discuss this story in the forum by CLICKING HERE.

Alternatively CLICK HERE to email us

GOVERNMENT officials have revealed new plans to extend part of the proposed A556 bypass.

The Highways Agency last week unveiled three options for the stretch between the M6 roundabout and Over Tabley.

One suggestion – the red route – includes the creation of a new section of road through nearby countryside.

But if that option is chosen, Tabley Parish Hall may have to be demolished and rebuilt elsewhere.

Another suggestion – the blue route – would involve transforming part of the current A556 into a dual carriageway and knocking down two nearby houses.

The third option – the brown route – is to do nothing and go ahead with the existing bypass plans.

Last week the Highways Agency said the extension was needed because similar plans had been shelved as part of a motorway widening scheme.

“We have tried to balance the need to improve the road with its possible impact on the environment and heritage of the area,” said project manager Mohammed Swapan.

The Highways Agency had already revealed plans to turn a larger part of the A556 back into a 30mph country lane.

It wants to build a new dual carriageway from Over Tabley to the M56 roundabout, bypassing Mere and Bucklow Hill.

Those plans were revealed in the Guardian more than six months ago and later backed by 83 per cent of people in a public consultation.

However, the Highways Agency has now begun another three-month consultation into the additional proposals for the bypass extension between the roundabout and Mere Hall.

This week it is sending leaflets and questionnaires to 400 homes and business in the area.

The information includes more details about the three proposed routes and their effects on the countryside.

The Highways Agency says the blue route would turn a 1,968ft section of the current A556 into a dual carriageway.

Residents and workers based along the stretch would no longer be able to access the road directly.

But alternative routes would be created with links near the A50.

The blue route would cross some woodland and two houses would also have to be demolished.

The Highways Agency is currently negotiating with those residents.

But the Government could serve a compulsory purchase order.

Meanwhile, the red route would involve changes to the current proposed bypass.

The dual carriageway would continue through more countryside from Mere Hall to the M6 junction.

It would pass to the west of Tabley Parish Hall and cross Old Hall Lane.

The Highways Agency said the parish hall may have to be moved, but it will not know until more detail designs are created.

“It’s very close, but we don’t know whether we can leave it,” said Manuelle Salathe, senior project manager.

The Highways Agency said the blue and red options would improve safety and journey times for drivers.

Its officials are currently doing more detailed studies into the impact on the countryside and a report will be published at a later date.

Officials said they still wanted to keep the entire A556 project within the original budget.

Residents can take part in the public consultation until Friday December 18.

Meanwhile, experts are still designing the larger part of the bypass.

A public inquiry is expected to be held in 2010 and final plans should then be submitted in 2011.

The Highways Agency said work was still due to start in 2012 and finish by 2015.

For information write to Mohammed Swapan, Highways Agency, Room 710, City Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BE.

Call 0161 930 5707, email A556knutsfordbowden@highways.gsi.gov.uk or visit highways.gov.uk/A556Improvements.

lWhat do you think about the plans? Have your say at knutsfordguardian.co.uk or email knutsford@guardiangrp.co.uk.