Agents call for action over Manchester Airport Relief Road flooding

Travel agents in the northwest have called for action to tackle flooding problems on the A555 Manchester Airport Relief Road – with some clients even deterred from using the airport.

The A555 was completed in 2018 but has repeatedly flooded during heavy rainfall.

Heavy rain over the New Year period meant Manchester airport was unreachable by the A555 and some cars were submerged in flood waters.

Richard Slater, managing director of Henbury Travel in Macclesfield and Abta northwest regional chairman, has been lobbying about the ongoing problems on the A555 and nearby A34.

“When both are flooded, you have to go on the old road, so the people are getting lost – and that can also flood,” he said.

“It has been going on for years since they were opened.

“It is really bad as it is the east and the south route to the airport; every time it rains, it gets flooded, and people have to go on the old road.

“When I went in January to the airport, it was a right pain.”

He has been lobbying Tatton MP Esther McVey and his own MP, Tim Roca, who represents Macclesfield, about the issue.

Becky Hall, owner of Plane Sailing travel agency, in New Mills, said some of her clients were asking for alternative departure airports, such as Liverpool and East Midlands, even though they are further away – and some others were even deterred from flying all together.

“Most, if not all, of our customers would go to Manchester airport. It is really frustrating, [the new road] was supposed to ease traffic,” she said.

“We really need the road fixed. A half-hour journey can take up to 1.5 hours.

“It has put some people off travelling, as they cannot be bothered to get to the airport, especially in winter.”

Tatton MP Esther McVey said: “It is absolutely shocking how many times the A43 and A555 have flooded in recent years.

“These are new roads so it begs the question why were rainfall and drainage not factored in when they were built? The rainfall we’ve experienced in past years is not unprecedented and we cannot keep describing it as such.

“Both Cheshire East which maintain the A43 and Stockport Borough Council which maintain the A555 need to act now to ensure the roads are up to par by the winter. The delays and closures caused by flooding bring untold disruption to motorists and need to end. My constituents deserve better.”

It is understood that officials from Manchester airport are in contact with local authorities about the issues on the road because of the problems over recent years.

Luke Petherbridge, Abta’s public affairs director, said: “Where customers are being hampered by local issues like these, Abtas’s Council of Regions representatives are in place across the country to help listen to local agents and operators and to raise these matters with our team.

“Our public affairs team can assist in supporting and advising members on how they can get political help.

“In this case, Richard has been tenacious is seeking to get local and national politicians to act –we’ve been happy to offer a sounding board.

“We’re glad to see Richard’s efforts gaining traction on this matter, which has now been raised by local MPs with the transport secretary, and hope that the government and local councils will work together to ensure problems on this vital route for passengers using Manchester airport is addressed.”

A spokesperson for Stockport Council said: “We are aware the road has flooded on four occasions over the past six years, and we have made improvements following each flooding incident.

“Our teams are working hard to develop further measures, and we remain committed to ensuring the A555 remains a safe and reliable route for all road users.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to achieve this goal.”

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