Final Week of Traffic Restrictions as Mottram Bypass Project Advances

Motorists travelling through Mottram will face a further week of traffic management measures as work continues on the long-awaited A57 Link Roads scheme, one of the largest highway projects currently under construction in Greater Manchester.

National Highways has confirmed that temporary two-way traffic lights on Roe Cross Road will remain in place until 22 June while contractors complete work associated with a new construction vehicle crossing at Old Road.

The crossing forms part of the £228 million A57 Link Roads project, a scheme designed to tackle longstanding congestion issues and improve journey reliability on the key corridor linking Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire.

Work on the crossing began earlier this month and initially required a full road closure on 4 June. Since then, temporary traffic signals have been managing vehicle movements while crews lower kerbs and make the necessary modifications to allow construction traffic to safely access the site.

Despite the restrictions, National Highways has said pedestrian access will remain available throughout the works via a temporary footpath, while access to homes and local businesses has been maintained.

The crossing is considered a crucial part of the construction programme, enabling the movement of large quantities of earth and other materials needed to build the new roads. Project teams say the facility will help improve efficiency while reducing the environmental impact of transporting materials across a wider area.

To minimise disruption, National Highways is monitoring traffic conditions in real time using CCTV and coordinating closely with Tameside Council and Transport for Greater Manchester. Construction vehicle movements may be temporarily paused if congestion worsens or incidents occur nearby.

The wider A57 Link Roads scheme has been under discussion for decades and finally received government approval last year. Once completed, it is expected to transform a route that has long suffered from traffic bottlenecks, particularly around Mottram Moor and surrounding communities.

The project comprises two major new road connections. The first, known as the Mottram Moor Link Road, will create a new dual carriageway running from Junction 4 of the M67 to a new junction at Mottram Moor on the A57.

The second element is the A57 Link Road itself, a new single carriageway connecting Mottram Moor with Woolley Bridge. Together, the routes are intended to remove through traffic from local roads, improve journey times and enhance reliability for both commuters and freight operators travelling between Manchester and Sheffield.

Construction activity is now clearly visible across the area, with earthworks and infrastructure development progressing at several locations along the route.

National Highways currently expects the new roads to open during 2028, although some final elements of the overall programme could continue beyond that date. Information published by the organisation indicates that full completion of all associated works may extend to as late as 2031.

For local residents and businesses, the project represents a major investment in transport infrastructure that has been anticipated for many years. While short-term disruption remains unavoidable, supporters of the scheme argue that the long-term benefits in terms of reduced congestion and improved connectivity will be significant for communities across Tameside and the wider region.

With the latest traffic management measures due to end next week, motorists are being advised to continue allowing extra time for journeys while construction progresses on one of the North West’s most significant road projects.