THE DECISION to approve a much called for bypass to alleviate traffic problems in Mottram has been celebrated – but not by all.
For many residents of the area feel the A57 Link Roads scheme will just shift the issue further down the road to Hollingworth.
Transport secretary Huw Merriman has given the go ahead to the project, which is designed the solve issues that have plagued Mottram Moor.
A dual carriageway running from the end of the M67 and through a new underpass to the north of Mottram to the A57 east of the junction at Black Moor.
Another single carriageway road would also link the A57 from Mottram Moor to Woolley Bridge, taking traffic away from the current route along Woolley Lane.
According to the Government’s decision, two new junctions, Mottram Moor Junction and Woolley Bridge Junction, will be created along with improvement works on the existing M67 Junction Four.
Five new structures – Old Farm Underpass, Roe Cross Road Overbridge, Mottram Underpass, Carrhouse Lane Underpass and River Etherow Bridge – will also be created.
Safety measures and improvements to the A57 from Mottram Moor Junction to Woolley Lane Junction will be put in place.
According to Government documents, ‘this would address long-standing issues of connectivity, congestion, reliability and safety between the M67 at Mottram and M1 Junction 36 and Junction 35A north of Sheffield.’
It would also, ‘provide additional capacity within Mottram and Hollingworth and improve journey time reliability which would assist in facilitating regeneration, development and economic growth both locally and regionally.’
But while MPs and transport bosses are delighted, people living in the area are fearful of the effect the new roads would cause.
Alternatives were put forward, including a long bypass taking in Hollingworth and Tintwistle, and a number of recommendations made by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) have been incorporated.
However, the Government’s decision states: “Concerns were raised that the proposed development does not address perceived issues in Hollingworth and Tintwistle, that a full bypass of Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle is required and that the works in the vicinity of Mottram Moor of the scale proposed may not be required if a full bypass was to be provided.
“Whilst noting Transport For Greater Manchester’s comments that it should be delivered in a way which allows for a future Hollingworth and Tintwistle bypass, the Secretary of State is mindful it is a standalone scheme addressing issues for Mottram and, to a degree, Hollingworth and there is no delivery method identified for a longer bypass at the current time.
“Although the Secretary of State acknowledges it would involve construction of works that may be unnecessary should a longer bypass be constructed, he agrees the works required are relevant and necessary for its delivery and are not excessive.
“Although Secretary of State notes the doubts expressed by CPRE, he is satisfied there is no substantive evidence that the proposed measures would be ineffective, particularly because there would be limited incentive for drivers to use Woolley Lane to avoid the Mottram Moor Junction.”
The controversial plan to build Godley Green Garden Village close to the M67 junction also formed part of the discussions.
But it was decided that as that well come after the building of this scheme, effects should be dealt with separately, with documents stating: “Any adverse impacts arising from Godley Green, including in relation to air quality, and mitigation are matters that will be for consideration as part of the planning application for the Godley Green development.”
Despite the concerns, Martin Tugwell, chief executive at Transport for the North, said:
“We welcome the Secretary of State’s support for this scheme, which will see work start on site next spring.
“Transport for the North has long supported the need to better connect Manchester and Sheffield, through investment in the rail and road links between two of the north’s most important city regions.
“The A57 Link Roads project will bring substantial benefits for local communities, reducing noise and levels of air pollution and creating new and improved facilities for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and will deliver much more reliable connectivity for traffic on this busy Trans-Pennine route, bringing significant economic benefits and improving opportunities for strengthening business and trade links between Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire.”
Stewart Jones, national highways’ delivery director for major projects in the north west, said: “This news is a real landmark – not least for everyone living alongside the existing A57 who has had to put up with rising congestion, road noise, pollution and disrupted local journeys over the years as vehicle numbers have risen.
“The project will also provide relief for the thousands of commuters, hauliers and other drivers who rely on the vitally important Manchester to Sheffield route every day and we’re looking forward to the spring when we can start building.”
And Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds beamed: “For me, this is the culmination of 20 years of work since I first attended a meeting of the Longdendale Siege Committee as a local resident in 2003.
“For our area, it is the culmination of work that goes as far back as 1965.
“Many, many people have been involved in this campaign over that time as successive projects were proposed and then stalled.
“I can’t tell you just how many roads ministers I’ve met with, but we do finally appear to be on the brink of real progress.
“The prospect of resolving the permanent traffic jam at the end of the M67 is a very significant one for the whole area.
“It will have a significant impact on quality of life in Mottram, Hattersley, Hollingworth and Broadbottom, but also help on the other side of the borough as traffic no longer needs to come past Stamford Park to get to Stalybridge and Mossley.”
Construction giant Balfour Beatty will carry out the work after being awarded a £108 million contract in 2020.