Highways England has announced a statutory consultation on its £242m investment in the vital Manchester to Sheffield Trans-Pennine route will begin on 12 February.
The improvement plans include new dual and single carriageways between the M67 and Woolley Bridge and a new A57 bypass at Mottram.
Other important improvements along the route include safety and technology improvements either side of Woodhead Pass – and a major overhaul of Westwood roundabout in South Yorkshire where the A616 meets the A61.
The plans were described by the government-owned company as ‘the centrepiece of the Trans-Pennine Upgrade programme’, and a project that required ‘special planning permission’ – Highways England will need to secure a development consent order (DCO) to enable it to build the new stretches of road at Mottram.
Highways England’s Trans-Pennine Upgrade project manager Monica Corso Griffiths said: ‘Having announced our preferred options for this important investment last November this is now the opportunity for everyone concerned to help us shape the detail of the individual schemes before we submit firm and final proposals to the planning authorities.
‘We’d urge anyone with an interest in the improvements to let us know their views. This is an important investment in one of the most important east to west routes in the country. The improvements are a vital element of Highways England’s support for the Northern Powerhouse – unlocking the potential for new homes and jobs by tackling congestion.’
The proposals included in the public consultation are:
- Mottram Moor link road – a new dual carriageway from the M67 junction 4 roundabout to a new junction on the A57 at Mottram Moor and a new single carriageway connecting to the A6018 Roe Cross Road
- A new single carriageway link from the A57 at Mottram Moor to a new junction on the A57 at Woolley Bridge
- Safety and technology improvements – including safety measures focused on addressing accident hotspots and the provision of electronic message signs
- A616/A61 Westwood roundabout – improvements to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic through the roundabout in Tankersley, Sheffield
Statutory consultation events are being staged across both sides of the Pennines during the consultation period, including:
- Mottram CofE Primary School Warhill, Mottram, Hyde, SK14 6JL – Saturday 17 February, noon to 6pm
- Bradbury Community House, Market Street, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 8AR – Wednesday 28 February, 2pm-8pm
- Tesco, Stockport Road, Hattersley, Hyde, SK14 6QA – Saturday 3 March, 11am-5pm
- Tankersley Welfare Hall, Pilley Lane, Tankersley, Barnsley, S75 3AP – Monday 5 March, midday-6pm
- St Mary’s Church, Market Street, Hollingworth, Hyde, SK14 8NE – Friday 9 March, 11am-5pm
- Mottram Community Centre, Church Brow, Mottram, Hyde, SK14 6JJ – Saturday 10 March, 11am-5pm
Further information about the proposals is available at: www.highways.gov.uk/trans-pennine-upgrade
Anyone who wants more information or to give their views on the scheme can also email the project team at: Trans_Pennine_Scheme@highwaysengland.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000, Highways England’s customer care centre.
The consultation closes on Sunday 25 March.
