“People will really start to see the project coming to life” – inside the A57 Link Road transformation

Standing on what was once Roe Cross Road, it’s hard to miss the scale of change taking place in Mottram.

Towering above the skyline is a colossal piling rig – now the tallest structure in the village – marking a turning point for the long-awaited A57 Link Roads scheme.

For decades, congestion through Mottram-in-Longdendale has been a daily frustration for motorists travelling between Manchester and Sheffield. Now, with major construction underway, that long-promised solution is finally becoming reality.

And according to Andrew Scatchard, National Highways senior project manager, the project has reached a defining moment.

“A huge piece of kit delivering a huge scheme”

“We’ve made fantastic progress,” said Mr Scatchard.

“Where we’re standing now is the original Roe Cross Road. We’ve recently switched traffic onto a temporary route, which has opened up all this space so we can begin piling works.”

At the centre of that work is a machine few in Mottram will have ever seen before.

Recently brought in from the HS2 project, the piling rig stands more than 26 metres tall and will be used to create over 200 deep foundations for the new underpass – a key part of the link road that will pass beneath Roe Cross Road and Old Hall Lane.

“It’s a huge piece of kit,” Mr Scatchard said. “In fact, it’s probably the tallest structure in Mottram at the moment. It really shows the scale of what we’re delivering here.”

From preparation to transformation

The arrival of the piling rig signals the shift from preparation to major construction.

Months of groundwork have already taken place behind the scenes, from site clearance and archaeology to utility diversions, but now, the project is becoming highly visible.

“You’ll start to see significant progress,” Mr Scatchard explained. “We’ve done all the preparatory work, and now we’re moving into the main earthworks and structural phase.”

That next phase will reshape the landscape around Mottram, including the creation of a new dual carriageway and major changes at Hattersley roundabout to improve access to the M67.

Reusing the landscape

One of the most striking aspects of the project isn’t just what’s being built, but how it’s being built.

Rather than importing vast quantities of materials, engineers are reusing what’s already on site.

“We’re very conscious of our environmental impact,” Mr Scatchard said. “We’re reusing large volumes of earth across the scheme to build embankments along the new road.”

In total, more than 200,000 cubic metres of earth will be moved, with over half transported across Mottram Moor to form new sections of the route.

To make that possible, a temporary plant crossing is being installed, allowing construction vehicles to move materials efficiently without leaving the site.

“It means fewer lorry movements on local roads and less carbon from transporting materials in and out,” he added. “It’s a big part of how we’re reducing our impact.”

Balancing construction with community

While the engineering is impressive, Mr Scatchard is clear that the project is about more than infrastructure.

“There’s been a lot of engagement with the community,” he said. “We’ve held public exhibitions, worked with local businesses, and we’re regularly going into schools.”

That outreach includes encouraging young people to consider careers in construction and engineering, something he sees as vital for the future.

“We’re helping develop the next generation,” he said. “We’ve already got more than 20 apprentices working on the scheme, and we want that to continue.”

Environmental measures have also been built into the project, including the relocation of wildlife such as badgers, installation of bat boxes and the removal of invasive plant species to encourage native growth.

What happens next?

The coming months are set to be some of the most transformative yet.

Major excavation works for the underpass will continue, while earth will be redistributed across the site using the new plant crossing. Drivers can also expect ongoing disruption, particularly around Mottram Moor, as temporary traffic management remains in place.

But for Mr Scatchard, the bigger picture is clear.

“This project has been a long time coming,” he said. “Now, people will really start to see it coming to life.”