The completion of Poynton’s new relief road was celebrated on Friday with a fly-past from a 1950s military aircraft and a parade of heritage cars, tractors and motorbikes.
Right on cue, the Avro-Anson former reconnaissance plane circled above as mayor of Cheshire East Cllr David Marren prepared to cut the ribbon to mark the ceremonial opening of the brand new £53m road.
The route has been named after celebrated wartime aircraft designer Roy Chadwick and connects Adlington with the A555 Manchester Airport relief road.
Roy Chadwick Way will relieve Poynton of heavy traffic – which residents have tolerated over several decades – and improve access to Macclesfield and the north of the borough.
The 3.5km stretch of road, built by contractors Graham, crosses the former Avro aircraft manufacturing site in Woodford and is named after the man who designed the famous Lancaster bomber.
A large gathering of walkers and cyclists mingled with VIP guests for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday 3rd March, the highlight of which was the fly-past by the twin-engined Anson plane.
The aircraft was flown especially for the event by Shropshire Aero Club – and this was organised by staff at the Avro Heritage Museum which is nearby and accessible from a footpath which runs alongside the new road.
Roy Chadwick and David Wilson
Roy Chadwick died during a test flight at Woodford Aerodrome, along with three crew members.
A memorial board (below) was unveiled last November, and now stands beside the new road near the site of the crash.
Carol Wilson, daughter of pilot David Wilson who died in the accident, was among the guests to witness the ceremonial completion of the new road.
She said: “My father was a very experienced wartime pilot flying Lancasters, amongst other planes, and spent some time in 617 squadron. He was awarded the DSO and the DFC and Bar.
“It is good to know that Roy Chadwick is commemorated in the naming of a road in his honour.
“Also, that those who died with him in the crash of 1947, including my father, are also remembered on the memorial plaque.”
Relatives of Roy Chadwick’s family were unable to attend the event but sent a message thanking Cheshire East Council.
Roy’s granddaughter, Delphine Stevens said: “Roy was very proud of his Chadwick family roots in north west England and the region’s position in the world of aviation.
“We send our very best wishes and congratulations on this special occasion and important new road for the community.”
Roy Chadwick Way
Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of the council, commented: “Roy Chadwick Way is the latest in our programme of major road schemes which have helped to improve connectivity across the borough, open-up new employment and housing development sites and move heavy traffic away from the homes of our residents, improving their quality of life.
“This road carries a 3.5-metre-wide cycling and footway along its length.
“This council is fully committed to a policy of active travel, and this is a further example of that commitment.”
The new road includes two bridges for walkers, cyclists and farm traffic.
Over the weekend many people took to exploring the road (on bikes, scooters, one-wheelers and on foot) before it was opened to traffic.
Funding for the project has come from Cheshire East Council (£21m), Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership growth deal (£5.6m), and the Department for Transport (£16.4m), with the balance to be met by developer contributions.
The new road opened to traffic on Monday 6th March at 10am.
Photo captions:
(1) Avro Heritage Museum patron Sir Charles Masefield, Graham managing director Leo Martin, Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership chair Clare Hayward, Cheshire East Council deputy leader Cllr Craig Browne, mayor of Cheshire East Cllr David Marren, Wing Commander Stephen Chaskin of 611 Squadron RAF Woodvale, deputy mayor of Stockport Cllr Linda Holt, Flight Lieutenant Peter Riding of 611 Squadron RAF Woodvale, Stockport Council deputy leader Cllr Wendy Meikle, Cheadle MP Mary Robinson, and Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee deputy chair Cllr Laura Crane
(2) One of the bridges on Roy Chadwick Way
(3) Avro Heritage Museum
(4) The memorial board for Roy Chadwick
(5) The 1950 Avro Anson former reconnaissance aircraft making its fly-past
(6) The parade of classic and vintage vehicles
(7) People exploring the new road before it opens to traffic