Work on the bypass 60 years in the making getting closer to starting

Work on a bypass that has been on the cards since 1965 is getting closer to starting.

Mottram Bypass was given the final sign off last year – having first been mooted 60 years ago. The A57 link road scheme, estimated to be worth around £228m, is designed to tackle congestion between Manchester and Sheffield.

Work was due to start in the earlier part of 2023 in the south of the Tameside borough, but the legal challenge from a countryside charity put a halt on proceedings.

That challenge was rejected by the Court of Appeal in 2024, meaning work to enable construction got the green light. An official start date for the works on the bypass has not been confirmed yet, but it is expected to be soon.

The A57 Link Roads project includes the creation of two new link roads. The first is the Mottram Moor Link Road – a new dual carriageway from the M67 junction 4 roundabout to a new junction on the A57(T) at Mottram Moor.

Although contractors haven’t started work on the new road just yet, preparatory works are already underway. The compound that will act as the base of operations for the scheme is currently being built.

Tom Peckitt, National Highways project manager, said: “The team continues to progress this important project that will provide safer and more reliable journeys. 

“Preparatory work is well under way with temporary cabins in place and the main construction compound opening in the spring behind the BP garage on Hyde Road, which will provide us with the best possible access across the construction site.

“Archaeological investigations, environmental surveys and other site investigations are continuing and we’ve also started diverting various utility cables so we can start to create the new route. We’ve also completed some traffic management work and planned road layout changes.”

The new link road is expected to take years to complete.