The notoriously congested route between Manchester and Glossop has seen the A57 Mottram bypass plan gain support from Highways England who have today announced the preferred route which will cut delays and improve traffic flow and safety.
Highways England also confirmed it would deliver improvements at Westwood roundabout at Tankersley in South Yorkshire which links the A61 and A616, and would do further work to refine options for the dualling of the A61 between Westwood roundabout and the M1.
All 3 improvements were part of a consultation held earlier this year.
Tim Gamon, Highways England’s Regional Delivery Director for the North West, said:
“More than 1,000 people attended the public information events we held on both sides of the Pennines earlier this year and almost 900 people responded to the consultation – with half backing the option selected for a new link from the M67 terminal roundabout to a new junction at A57(T) Mottram Moor – near Back Moor – and a link from there to a new junction on the A57 at Brookfield.
“Most people felt these improvements struck a good balance in terms of convenience for drivers, reduced impact on local communities and improved safety. So we will present them in a statutory consultation next year with a plan to starting construction in early 2020.”
Plans for climbing lanes on the A628 are also being considered further following the recent consultation.
Highways England is already starting to deliver some localised safety schemes along the Trans-Pennine route.
More information on the announcement and on the timetable for statutory consultation and project delivery can be found on the scheme website.
Image: © Copyright Colin Pyle and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.