All the changes planned on major road connecting Oldham and Rochdale

Improvements are being planned on a major road which connects Oldham and Rochdale.

Plans for the A671 include a new bus lane, improved bus stops, and a new segregated cycle track with pedestrian and cycle crossing points.

A quiet route for cyclists is included in the design, creating a space with light traffic and low speeds which riders can share with cars, and improved junctions with better stop lines, pedestrian islands, and signal timings to help buses get through quicker.

The design is part of a travel corridor through Rochdale, Royton, Oldham and Ashton town centres on the A671 and A627 used by the 409 bus service.

It aims to improve the performance of bus services and help passengers to feel safer.

Transport for Greater Manchester stated that the change could involve “short-term disruption” while construction works are carried out, but it is hoped the changes will make it easier for travellers to switch between different types of transport to complete their journey.

This approach, to create a London-style transport system, is at the heart of Greater Manchester’s plans with the Bee Network.

Stephen Rhodes, director of bus at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “By making it easier for people to travel by bus or walk, cycle, and wheel, some people will choose to do this rather than use cars.

“This could mean less traffic for people who still prefer to use a car or have to use a car.

"Not only will this improve people’s experience of using buses, it will also help us to tackle some of the big challenges we face as a region, including congestion and poor air quality.

“It will also support economic growth and regeneration and improve access to opportunities for everyone.”

Councillor Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It will be really good to see major investment into this key route across our borough, which is used by huge numbers of our residents and businesses each and every day.”

If approved, the changes will involve:

Improved bus stops along the corridor, to help people access the bus network

Relocation of the existing inaccessible High Level Road bus stop (southbound) to the existing entrance to Ainsworth St; and the removal of Ainsworth St southbound bus stop

A new northbound bus lane on Oldham Road (A671) from Queen Victoria St to the south of the junction (opposite Charter St) to help buses get to the front of the traffic queue

Improved road design at junctions on Oldham Road A671 with Wood Street; Durham Street/Crawford Street; Kingsway/Queensway; and Broad Lane with better placed stop lines, pedestrian islands, and signal timings to help buses get through quicker

A new cycle track separate from motor vehicles northbound and southbound on Oldham Road (A671) from Drake Street to Gordon St (northbound) and Healing St (southbound), with a pedestrian and cycle crossing point at Healing Street

A ‘Quiet route’ for cyclists from Gordon St/Hurst St (northbound) and Healing St (southbound) to Balderstone Park.  A quiet route is a road with low amounts of traffic and low traffic speeds where cyclists can safely share the road with motor vehicles

Improved cycle and pedestrian crossing points along the full corridor.

An engagement period on the plan for the Rochdale section of the route is running until to Sunday, February 4, 2024.

There will be two public drop-in sessions at Number One Riverside in Rochdale town centre in the new year on Wednesday, January 10, between 10am-12noon, and Monday, January 15, between 2pm-4pm.

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