Highways Agency

• A57/A628 Mottram in Longdendale, Hollingworth and Tintwistle Bypass

Summary of the Proposals

The bypass would run to the north of the Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle, from the M67 roundabout to the A628 just to the east of Tintwistle. It would be approximately 5.7km in length. From the M67 it is proposed to be a dual carriageway as far as a new roundabout east of Mottram Showground. A 190m long tunnel would take the dual carriageway under Roe Cross Road, Old Road and Old Hall Lane, to reduce the impact of the bypass on Mottram. From the Showground, it would continue as a single carriageway with climbing lanes on the steeper sections, to tie into the A628 Woodhead Road at a new roundabout by Townhead Farm.

A single carriageway link road would connect the Showground roundabout to a new junction on the existing A57 at Mottram Moor. The junctions, dual carriageway section, tunnel and link road would be lit. The single carriageway section east of the Showground roundabout would not be lit.

Measures have also been incorporated into the scheme to manage traffic and reduce the attraction of the route to traffic through the Peak District National Park.

The bypass follows the Preferred Route, which was announced in October 1993.

M67 to Showground Roundabout

The M67 roundabout would be altered and have traffi c lights installed. The dual carriageway would cross open land to the north of Hyde Road to the tunnel under Roe Cross Road. Near the M67 roundabout, a subway would be provided under the bypass for pedestrian, equestrian and farm access.

East of the tunnel, the dual carriageway would continue in a cutting, dropping towards a new traffic light controlled roundabout just east of the Mottram Showground.

Showground Roundabout to Townhead Roundabout

The bypass would continue as an unlit single carriageway, rising from the Showground roundabout passing north of Thorncliffe Farm. Coach Road and Lumb Lane would pass over the bypass on new bridges. The bypass would cross Thorncliffe Valley on a 60m long, 14m high viaduct. Cow Lane would pass over the bypass on a new bridge The bypass would then climb to the Widowscroft Farm area. This section would include a westbound climbing lane. The bypass would then drop towards Swallows Wood and cross the valley on a 195m long, 26m high viaduct.

The bypass would pass north of Arnfield Reservoir, with a layby for eastbound traffic and then cross Arnfield Brook on a 195m long, 20m high viaduct before passing between Crossgates Reservoir and Crossgates Farm. Arnfield Lane would be diverted west of its current location on a new bridge over the bypass.

From Arnfield Lane, the bypass would enter the Peak District National Park. The single carriageway would cut into the hillside and pass through Harry's Quarry and Holybank Quarry north of Tintwistle before climbing towards Townhead Farm. An eastbound climbing lane and a lay-by for westbound traffic would be provided on this section. Access to the open moorland and Townhead Farm would be over a new footbridge at Holybank Quarry. The exposed rock face at Holybank Quarry would be extended and the cutting slopes near the quarry would be made shallower to promote a natural moorland habitat.

Townhead Farm junction would be a traffic light controlled roundabout. A small section of the existing A628 from Tintwistle would be diverted on a shallow embankment to connect with the new roundabout. The junction and diverted A628 would be lit.

Mottram Moor Link

From the Showground roundabout, a single carriageway link road would branch south down the hill to connect the bypass to the A57. The link road would terminate at a traffic light controlled T-junction.

Route Restraint Measures

The bypass would remove traffic congestion in the villages; it would also have the effect of making the trunk road more attractive as a route for cross Pennine traffic through the Peak District National Park. Measures are proposed as part of the scheme to manage traffic and reduce the attraction of the route to traffic through the Park. This would be achieved by restraining traffic through the introduction of traffic lights at the bypass junctions and at the junction of the A628 with the A616 at Flouch.

Flouch Location

Detrunking & Bypassed Roads

Traffic calming measures comprising road narrowing with parking bays, raised platforms and pedestrian crossings are proposed to enhance the bypassed roads through the villages. The A57 Mottram Moor would be closed to traffic west of its junction with Back Moor, to encourage the use of the bypass by through traffic. Local traffic would make use of Back Moor and Stalybridge Road.