Highways England has completed major improvements to increase capacity at a key Yorkshire roundabout to improve traffic flow.
The government-owned company is spending £18.6m on improvements to the A628, A61 and A616 corridor, which links the north of Sheffield with Manchester
This includes enhancements to Westwood roundabout in Tankersley, South Yorkshire, at the intersection of the A61 and A616:
- an extra lane added to some of the approaches as well as the roundabout itself
- new pedestrian crossings on the A61 exit heading north and the A616 exit heading east
- 9,524 square metres of resurfacing
- 19 new street lights and 32 new traffic signals
- 469 metres of new drainage,
- 472 metres of new/improved safety barrier
- 986 metres of new kerbing.
Highways England project manager Emma Simpson said: ‘By carrying out these improvements congestion will be eased through this vital roundabout.'
Peter Molyneux, major roads director at Transport for the North, said: ‘The completion of the Westwood roundabout upgrade is an important milestone as part of a package of measures to improve east-west connectivity between Sheffield and Manchester.’
Further west, Highways England is carrying out schemes along the A628 (Woodhead Pass) and A616. The safety barrier at Salter’s Brook along the A628 will be upgraded in the spring, as well as drainage improvements around the Stocksbridge area of the A616.
Highways England said stabilisation work between Crowden and Tintwistle on the A628 is progressing well and expected to finish in April.
It has also been installing infrastructure along the A57, A628, A61 and A616 since October 2020 to allow for new variable message signs to be introduced. This work is due to finish in the summer.
