‘Is there a settlement in Trafford that wasn’t built on greenfield?’
Trafford Council defends its proposed Carrington Relief Road despite strong resident opposition, citing benefits for the isolated community of Partington.Summary
Trafford Council is moving forward with plans for the Carrington Relief Road, a project designed to alleviate congestion around Partington and Carrington by connecting Manchester Road to the A6144 Carrington Spur. Despite receiving over 85 objections and a 77% objection rate in prior consultation, Council leaders maintain the road will improve travel times and access for residents of Partington, a community they describe as geographically isolated. Residents fear the road will increase traffic, destroy habitats, and worsen flooding. Councillor Liz Patel acknowledged environmental concerns but argued that “all planning decisions are always a balance of impact and benefit,” and questioned whether any settlement in Trafford hasn’t been built on greenfield land. While plans include a new bus route, proposals to reopen the old railway line have been dismissed in favor of walking and cycling routes. The project, estimated to cost £132 million, will be funded through developer contributions and is intended to include flood mitigation measures and active travel routes, though details regarding environmental impact mitigation and traffic calming measures remain unclear.
(Source：Manchester Evening News)