POLITICIANS claim that more than 5,000 jobs could be created after the opening of the £290 million A6 Manchester Airport Relief Road was opened last week by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

The new dual carriageway, which links the A6 at Hazel Grove to the M56 is also expected to provide better connections to the £1billion Airport City business park and development sites in Handforth Dean and Woodford and could deliver a £2.5 billion funding boost to the regional economy.

Mr Grayling said: “This new road will not only make it easier for people to get to the airport and away on holiday, but it will help businesses in the North West improve their access to world trade through flights from Manchester.

“It will also lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and further demonstrating the strength of the North West’s role in the Northern Powerhouse.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:

“The new road will enable people to make quicker and easier journeys, and will cut congestion, especially on local roads. The supporting cycling and walking infrastructure will also make active travel more attractive and safer for more people.

“Greater Manchester is emerging as a world-class city-region and we want to work with Government to deliver a transport system to support it.”