Background - Part I: Early Plans (1989 to 2007)

Following earlier investigations to provide a bypass, the scheme was restored to the road programme in 1989 and following a public consultation process a preferred route was selected in October 1993. This route is shown on the map in red. After subsequent reviews by the previous government, work was suspended. In July 1998 the present government published the results of
its own review in 'A New Deal for Trunk Roads' and included the bypass as a scheme to be progressed through the preparatory stages.

The Problem

The A57/A628 connects Manchester with Sheffield via the M67, A616 and M1. There are several junctions and pedestrian crossings, as the A57 passes throug the villages of Mottram and Hollingworth, causing long delays for traffic during peak hours. On-street parking, deliveries, and break-downs, and make the road narrow for the large numbers of heavy goods vehicles using
the route and congested. Together with steep gradients these make conditions difficult for residents, pedestrians and road users.

The high volume of traffic causes noise, visual intrusion and severance and creates an unpleasant environment for residents. The accident rate at Tintwistle is more than twice the national average.

The Proposed Route

The Preferred Route would leave the M67 terminal roundabout in a northeasterly direction and pass under the A6018 Roe Cross Road, Old Road and Old Hall Lane in a tunnel some 120 metres north of the point where those roads converge. This tunnel would be about 170 metres long.

To the east of this area the route continues to a roundabout which provides for a link road
down to the A57 Mottram Moor. A proposed local authority road would continue this link to the A57 at Woolley Bridge. To the east of the roundabout , the Preferred Route would proceed in a northeasterly direction, then curving southeasterly to join the existing A628 east of Tintwistle near Townhead Farm.

Why a bypass?

No-one is saying that there isn't a problem. Noise and air pollution are very real problems for the residents along the A57/A628. The bypass, however, is just one of a number of proposals put forward to the council, but for some reason this is the only solution that the council will consider. Opposition to this scheme, and support for alternative solutions, needs to be voiced loudly and persistently. Visit the Get Involved! page to find out what you can do to help and to make your voice heard.