Trafford Council’s planning committee has approved a new 2.7-mile relief road and active travel route connecting Partington to the wider area in Trafford, England.

Councillors gave the scheme the go-ahead by a narrow margin, voting seven to six in favour of the proposal.

The £130m ($174m) Carrington Relief Road will connect Manchester Road to the west and Carrington Spur to the east, providing an alternative to the frequently congested A6144.

The council has stated that the new route will support the delivery of 5,000 homes and 350,000m² of employment floorspace planned for the New Carrington area, as set out in the Places for Everyone Plan adopted in 2024.

The approved design allocates 10m of width for walking and cycling, alongside a 7.3m carriageway for vehicles along most of its length.

The scheme is part of broader transport improvements in the region, which also include enhanced bus services and additional active travel pathways.

According to the council, the aim is to encourage heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to avoid the current A6144, thus improving safety and journey times for local residents.

The relief road is also intended to improve links between Partington and Sale, while relieving Carrington village from the impact of through HGV traffic.

Main construction work on the road is scheduled to begin in March 2029, following preliminary preparations set for 2027 and 2028. The project is expected to be completed by 2032.

Trafford Council Economy and Regeneration executive member Liz Patel said: “We are pleased that planning permission has been granted. The Council has been committed to improving links to Partington for decades. This route will make that commitment a reality. 

“It will create a new road and new safe, lit walking and cycling routes to connect Partington and Sale, relieve the village of Carrington from heavy goods vehicles and support jobs and homes for future generations.

“This is a comprehensive and deliverable proposal, a culmination of many years of hard work, surveys, investigations, route planning and construction design. It has been thoroughly considered to be the optimum solution to deliver the best outcomes.” 

The project’s development involved consultations with local campaigners, special interest groups, and organisations before finalising the chosen route.

The council states that the scheme intends to improve access for all modes of transport, with the wider plan aiming to unlock opportunities for local residents and support future housing and employment growth in the Carrington area.