It’s a traffic blackspot which commuters in South Manchester are all too familiar with.

But improvements to the notorious junction at Gatley Road on the A34 are now a step closer after the Cheadle MP, Mary Robinson, secured a commitment from Greater Manchester’s Interim Mayor to help make it a priority for the region.

During a recent meeting with Tony Lloyd, together with representatives from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Mary pressed for a radical solution to the frustration that drivers experience along this stretch of road.

Mary sought reassurance that a joint study to explore the issues along the A34 corridor that Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council plan to carry out is brought to the fore and acted on as a priority.

The study – expected to be completed by next summer – is to form part of a refresh to SEMMMS, a 20-year transport and urban regeneration strategy which covers the area to the south east of Manchester, and will inform a subsequent ‘A34 Action Plan’.

Mary’s ongoing commitment to tackling congestion along this major commuter route into Manchester is well documented. Last month, she raised the issue of traffic congestion on the A34 at Prime Minister’s Questions, where she called for greater investment in vital transport links in the North. In his response, the Prime Minister said it was “absolutely the right time” for the issue to be raised at a time when the Government is investing £13 billion in transport across the North over this Parliament.

Mary has also previously urged those around the table to consider applying to the Government’s Large Local Majors Fund – a £475 million pot announced by the Chancellor in last year’s Budget aimed at funding substantive transport infrastructure projects in the North of England.  The Gatley Road junction is well known in the area for traffic congestion and is considered the 6th worst junction in the country for red light jumping, according to a recent survey.

Tony Lloyd says: “I want us to create a Greater Manchester with a world class transport network. To make that a reality we need to improve junctions like Gatley Road on the A34, so I’m pleased that we are now looking at ways to improve this part of Greater Manchester’s highway network.

“At the end of this month, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will consider our long-term transport strategy, which will then be the subject of a public consultation this summer. Our strategy will recognise the need for a clear plan to ensure that our highway network is fit for purpose and resilient as Greater Manchester grows.”

Simon Warburton, Interim Transport Strategy Director at TfGM, adds: “We’ve seen significant growth in housing and economic activity in the South East of the conurbation, and in Cheshire East. This study will be an important piece of work to identify the right solutions to support economic growth and the communities along the A34 corridor.”

Mary says: “Anybody who uses this road regularly will know just how frustrating and potentially dangerous it is. The prospect of further housing developments in Heald Green and Handforth would potentially add further to the traffic burden at Gatley Road.

“Improving traffic management along the A34 is vital, so I’m pleased to learn that work is being undertaken to monitor and model traffic flow and that all parties are in full support of us finding a solution as soon as possible. Developing and improving our transport infrastructure is one of my priorities, because it’s fundamental to the future prosperity of our area. I hope now we see some real progress on improving the commute for Cheadle residents.”