Three key milestones reached on A57 Mottram Link Roads

A major scheme set to transform journeys across the North has reached three significant milestones.

National Highways and its partner Balfour Beatty are progressing the A57 Link Roads in Mottram, a project designed to reduce congestion, improve journey reliability between Manchester and Sheffield, strengthen regional connections and support economic growth.

Following extensive preparation and site clearance works, the project is now moving into the main construction phase. Three key milestones mark this progress: the start of piling works for a new underpass in Mottram; construction of a new through road across Hattersley roundabout; and the building of a temporary plant crossing at Mottram Moor.

Andrew Scatchard, National Highways senior project manager, said:

“This is an exciting time as we reach these three major milestones in our work to build the two new Link Roads, which will help address the long-standing issue of congestion in Mottram-in-Longdendale and improve journeys between Manchester and Sheffield.”

Underpass piling

The first milestone is the start of piling works for the new underpass that will carry the A57 Link Road beneath Roe Cross Road and Old Hall Lane in Mottram, connecting to the A57 at Mottram Moor.

To enable construction, a temporary relief road has been built to carry traffic along Roe Cross Road, with vehicles successfully transferred onto this new route. This has created the space needed to position the large piling rig required to construct the underpass.

Standing 28.5 metres high, the rig is now the tallest structure in Mottram and even higher than the 20-metre tower of Mottram Parish Church.

Hattersley roundabout

The second milestone can be seen at junction 4 of the M67 motorway, also known as Hattersley roundabout.

Groundworks are underway to create a new through road across the roundabout. Once complete, this will allow westbound traffic travelling from the new dual carriageway Link Road to access the motorway more directly, improving traffic flow and making journeys quicker and smoother.

Mottram Moor plant crossing

The third milestone is the construction of a temporary plant crossing over the A57 road at Mottram Moor, starting this week.

The crossing will allow construction vehicles to safely transport excavated material from the underpass works across Mottram Moor for use along the ‘Glossop Spur’ Link Road, reducing the need to transport material off site.

More than 100,000 tonnes of earthworks will be reused within the scheme, requiring around 8,000 short journeys by construction trucks across Mottram Moor throughout the construction of the scheme.

Reusing material in this way helps protect the local environment by reducing heavy vehicle movements further afield and lowering the carbon emissions associated with transporting and importing construction materials. This approach supports National Highways’ commitment to deliver net zero maintenance and construction emissions by 2040.

Work to construct the plant crossing will take place over the next two weekends. Full details are outlined below.

Andrew added: “At the same time as we construct the crossing, our utility partners will also complete important utility works. We always strive to minimise disruption where possible, but delays to journeys are expected over the next two weekends and the week in between.

“We therefore advise people to plan before they travel and allow extra time to complete their journeys. We would again like to thank the local community, including road users, for their support and patience while we carry out this work.”

Once installed, the plant crossing is expected to come into use from mid-April. When in operation, traffic will be held for short periods only, with traffic lights in place and regularly monitored, while construction vehicles transport materials across Mottram Moor.

A57 Mottram Moor works

During the two-weekend works, one lane of the A57 Mottram Moor will remain open, managed under temporary three-way traffic lights from:

• 7pm Friday 13 March – 6am Monday 16 March
• 7pm Friday 20 March – 6am Monday 23 March

The lights will also replace the existing arrangements at Back Moor. Drivers will pass through the temporary signals in a single-file system, one direction at a time, for safety.

Significant delays are expected and all non-local drivers are strongly urged to use alternative routes between Manchester and Sheffield. Signs across the motorway and local road networks will encourage motorists to avoid Mottram Moor and use other routes.

This phase of work was originally planned under full weekend closures, but following ongoing reviews of the construction programme a different approach was identified which allows the road to remain open.

From 6am Monday 16 March to 7pm Friday 20 March, Mottram Moor will be reduced to one lane in each direction. This will impact journeys and motorists are advised to check before travelling and allow additional time.

Access for residents, local bus services and emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout the works.

Marshals will monitor the roadworks around the clock, using traffic signal control where appropriate to help manage traffic safely through the work area.