THE multi-million pound A556 scheme is ‘going green’.

A series of roadside ponds are being provided as part of the new £192million A556 Knutsford to Bowdon dual carriageway.

In all, four ponds will sit along the length of the four and a half mile road.

They are designed to deal with rain water and other ‘run-off’ from the road surface, which is often contaminated by engine oil and fuel spilled from vehicles and other liquids and debris from collisions and breakdowns.

As well as collecting the run-off, the special ‘attenuation’ ponds will slowly filter contaminates out of the water before it can be released safely at a controlled rate into the River Bollin.

The first of the four ponds, known as Pond ‘D’, is nearing completion and is on Yarwood Heat, near the existing slip road from the M56 up to Bowdon roundabout.

Jonathan Stokes, Highways England’s A556 project manager, said: “A number of people have asked us about the pond at Yarwood Heath and why it’s being provided. The use of attenuation ponds along the new A556 will significantly reduce the amount of water currently ending up untreated in the local water courses.

“These ponds will considerably improve the environmental credentials of the link between the M56 and M6. They are sustainable and aesthetically pleasing and as well as providing filtration for day to day run-off from the new road, the ponds will act as holding tanks in the event of severe flooding or a major spillage from a collision.”

Providing the ponds is just one of the environmental improvement measures in the scheme. The project also includes improved and dedicated facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders along the existing A556 road and providing a ‘green’ bridge – for the use of farm and wild animals - near Mere.

Construction of the new link roads and roundabout arrangements around Bowdon and junction 7 of the M56 should be completed this summer with the new bypass opening in spring of next year.