Construction on the long-awaited Mottram bypass is set to begin next year after proposals were approved by the government.
The A57 Link Roads bypass, which will ease congestion on the busy route between Manchester and Sheffield, has been given the final seal of approval by Transport Minister Huw Merriman.
It comes after a decade-long saga over the multi-million pound Trans-Pennine upgrade programme, which would see a new dual carriageway created from the M67 junction 4 roundabout to a new junction on the A57(T) at Mottram Moor.
A new single carriageway would also be constructed to connect to the A6018 Roe Cross Road and a new single carriageway linking the A57(T) at Mottram Moor to a new junction on the A57 at Woolley bridge.
Building work on the new bypass is expected to start next Spring and will take thousands of vehicles away from the congested village of Mottram once completed.
Tameside Council member for Longdendale, Coun Jacqueline Owen, told the M.E.N back in March that the general view from the public is that the bypass has been ‘a long time coming.’
“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.”
National Highways is currently planning a series of ‘next steps’ public information events which will take place at locations around Mottram in the new year.
More information on the project is available at: www.nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/a57-link-roads