Date published: 07/04/2004

Local residents who live near or travel across the Oldham Road/Kingsway junction will know that it causes delays on local roads as well as at the junction itself. These delays are caused not only by the amount of traffic travelling through but also because of the number of vehicles making right turns and the nearness of the Well I'Th Lane junction.

Just as important, this junction, because of the lack of proper crossings and cycle lanes, causes problems for pedestrians and cyclists. Improving safety here is a high priority, especially as a lot of school children have to cross this junction on their way to and from school.

In addition, bus passengers are being delayed because buses are having to wait in queues resulting in unpunctual and unreliable services. This junction is currently the biggest cause of delay on the Quality Bus Corridor which passes through it.

The developing Kingsway Business Park and the 7,000 new jobs which it is to create will mean thousands of extra people travelling through the junction.

Transport planners have been looking at a variety of ways to solve these problems. Many ideas were considered and each one had its own problems as they required the demolition of too many buildings, were too expensive or didn't increase the capacity of the road enough. However the scheme shown on the map on the following page has overcome earlier problems and will improve the travelling experience of all road users as well as making the area safer for pedestrians, school children and cyclists.

Once all the proposed changes to this important junction have been completed it will provide a new gateway for Rochdale.

The proposed improvements will:

• reduce congestion at the junction and on the surrounding roads
• make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians
• improve the punctuality and reliability of buses by providing more capacity at the junction
• provide on and off street parking for those wishing to use the local shops
• provide a high quality gateway to the town by introducing environmental improvements to the area including:
  • high quality pavement surfaces
  • new, well designed street furniture
  • introducing opportunities for urban art

The map below shows the proposed changes to the road layout.

Rochdale MBC would like to know what you think of these proposals in order that they best meet the needs of the community. If you wish to see the plans in more detail and talk with an officer of the council a staffed exhibition will be available from 1.00pm to 7.00pm on 27th April at Trinity Methodist Church, William Henry Street, Rochdale, OL11 1AL, or visit the web site: www.u-to-us.com/kingsway/ for more information and send to us your views by email, or you can call the Information Line on 0845 300 1316.