Improving the Trans-Pennine route
Plans to improve the key roads between two of the North’s biggest cities will go on display on Saturday 8 October and Thursday 13 October.
Highways England’s Trans-Pennine Upgrade Programme aims to improve journey times, tackle congestion and reduce incidents between Manchester and Sheffield. The schemes will also be designed to reconnect communities divided by busy roads.
Drivers, residents and business owners will be able to find out more about the proposals at two public events taking place on:
- Saturday 8 October, 11am to 7pm, at St Mary’s Hollingworth, Market Street, Hollingworth, Tameside, SK14 8NE
- Thursday 13 October, 1pm to 6pm, at Tankersley Welfare Hall, Pilley Lane, Tankersley, Barnsley, S75 3AP
The schemes are part of a £15 billion government investment in motorways and major A roads by 2021 which is being delivered by Highways England. A consultation on more detailed plans is due to take place next year, with construction work expected to start by spring 2020.
Project manager Irene Ofei said:
Thousands of drivers make the trip between Manchester and Sheffield every day and we are committed to improving their journeys to help support the region’s economy.
We have developed a number of practical options to many of the current issues on the route, both for drivers and communities.
We would welcome feedback from residents and from drivers who use the route before we develop proposals for a more detailed consultation next year.
The Trans-Pennine Upgrade Programme includes the following schemes on the A57, A628 and A61:
- Mottram Moor link road – a new dual carriageway from the roundabout at the end of the M67 to a new junction on the A57 at Mottram Moor, bypassing the A57 Hyde Road
- A57 link road – a new link road from the A57 at Mottram Moor to the A57 at Brookfield, bypassing the existing A57 junctions with the A628 Market Street and Woolley Bridge Road
- A628 climbing lanes – overtaking lanes on the uphill A628 near Woodhead Bridge and Salters Brook Bridge
- A61 dual carriageway – adding an extra lane to create a dual carriageway on the A61 between the A616 roundabout and junction 36 of the M1 near Tankersley
- safety and technology improvements – measures focused on addressing accident clusters
More information about the Trans-Pennine Upgrade Programme is available on the scheme website.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.