MAJOR gas works are set to effect one of the area’s busiest roads, causing concern over the impact it will have on traffic.
MP Jonathan Reynolds described the news Mottram Moor will be hit for about five months as ‘impending travel doom.’
This came as the Snake Pass was closed to clear landslips but Cadent, the firm responsible for the project, insists it is needed to bolster an infrastructure under strain.
From Monday, April 4, 1,400 metres of new pipe, running from Woolley Lane, to Mottram Moor, to Back Moor, and then into Stalybridge Road, will be laid.

But while they insist there should be no disruption to gas supply, the impending prospect of land closures and temporary traffic lights on a road many say is already too busy does not fill people with joy.
Mr Reynolds said: “As a former resident of Hollingworth and Mottram, one of my least favourite MP duties is sharing news of impending Longdendale/Tameside travel doom.
“Not only is Snake Pass closed for at least a month due to landslips, now Mottram Moor will be badly affected by essential gas works for, I’m afraid, 20 weeks.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why, as I was, a road surrounded my fields has to be dug up to update gas supplies, likely causing widespread delays, rather than using the adjacent land.
“I’m afraid it turns out a deal could not be reached with local landowners.
“Cadent will work seven days a week to hasten completion but I’m frustrated to say there’s no point pretending this won’t lengthen journey times.”
Cadent explained the work is needed, ‘to meet demand from a site which uses gas to generate electricity. It will also protect supply to around 2,500 homes in Glossop and Hadfield where growth is putting strain on the existing infrastructure.’
Craig Horrocks, head of their north west investment planning office, said: “Growth in this area has put a significant strain on the gas network.
“We are now concerned about meeting demand. A local power generation site also urgently needs more gas to create electricity for the same area.
“Our team has tried, for several years, to negotiate with multiple private landowners to lay this new pipe through fields.
“We haven’t been able to reach agreements and the situation is now such that we need to act, by installing it under roads.“Installing the new pipe also helps future-proof this part of the network, helping to ensure it’s ready to distribute hydrogen when that starts to arrive in the north west soon. Hydrogen is key to securing a net zero energy future.
“This is a busy road and it’s impossible not to have any impact on traffic.
“We’ve been liaising over many months now with agencies such as National Highways, Transport for Greater Manchester and Tameside Council to minimise disruption.”