DRIVERS using motorways and other roads in Cheshire and Greater Manchester will benefit from safer journeys thanks to a new observation platform on the A556 Knutsford to Bowdon bypass.
The platform, on the northbound carriageway at Mere, just north of junction 19 of the M6, has been constructed by Highways England as part of its £43 million roundabout improvement at junction 19, just past Knutsford Services.
While the M6 project is focused on installing a new road bridge through the junction roundabout and over the M6 – providing direct links with the A556 and tackling congestion – the construction team has also been looking to provide other improvements in the area.
The platform – which will be used by Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officers to spot and intercept dangerous or illegally-operated lorries, vans and other commercial vehicles – complements other improvements in the area which Highways England has provided for the DVSA over the past few years, including a new vehicle checking site at the northern end of the new bypass at Bowdon.
Police and Highways England traffic officers will also be able to use the platform.
The platform is already being used by DVSA officers to monitor traffic on the dual carriageway
Highways England project manager Jamie Carruthers said: “We’re always looking for opportunities to deliver other improvements to the road network while we are undertaking major projects.
“Given the proximity of our M6 junction project we realised we could also construct this platform for the DVSA.
“The safety of road users is a priority for Highways England, and this new observation platform will allow the DVSA to target and remove dangerous or potentially dangerous lorries, vans, other commercial vehicles and their drivers from the road network.”
Steve Brougham from the DVSA said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles. This new platform will help our examiners make the north west’s roads even safer.”
The new observation platform will make it easier for DVSA officers to intercept suspect vehicles and escort them to the vehicle checking centre which completed shortly after the opening of the new bypass in 2017.
The old checking site was originally sited off the northbound A556 near the M56 but was moved into a purpose-built new facility within the island at Bowdon roundabout, a mile from the new observation platform.
The new DVSA checking facility being developed within Bowdon roundabout during the construction of the new A556 bypass in 2016
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