Construction can now commence on the A57 Link Roads project following the conclusion of a judicial review into the scheme, Highways England has confirmed.
Formerly the Trans-Pennine Upgrade and now known as the “Mottram Moor Link Road and A57 Link Road project” in the Government’s second Roads Investment Strategy, the scheme aims to curb congestion on the route between Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire with the construction of two new link roads at the western end of the A57/A628 route, to provide a dual carriageway bypass around Mottram in Longdendale in Tameside.
The £170 million scheme had been delayed due to legal challenges, but can now move forward following the ruling of Judge Lady Justice Thornton who presided over the Judicial Review who confirmed that the case against the scheme is now closed.
The current scheme has evolved over more than 50 years as different ideas have been explored. In 2017, after a wide consultation about a number of different options, Highways England set out its plans to improve the existing route connecting the M67 at Mottram in Longdendale to the M1, north of Sheffield via the A57 and A628 across the Pennines.
In an update on the project on the Highways England website, the organisation has stated:
“The scheme will transform the region, reducing congestion and improving travel times between Manchester and Sheffield. It will also reduce pollution for the communities of Mottram in Longdendale, improve travel connections and support longer term economic regional growth.“
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