Congestion tackled at Sudden Roundabouts in Rochdale

Date published: 31 October 2005

A major consultation concerning plans to tackle congestion at the Sudden roundabouts in Rochdale begins on Monday 7 November 2005.

The proposals have been developed by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council as part of the Integrate Initiative, a longstanding partnership agreement between organisations involved in transport in Greater Manchester.

Thousands of leaflets are being distributed to residents and businesses in the area and people will have until Friday 9 December to complete and return an attached questionnaire.

Plans are being put forward to replace the Sudden roundabouts with traffic lights to improve the flow of traffic through the area and make it easier for those using Roch Valley Way, Edinburgh Way and Bolton Road to pass through the junctions.

See the proposed new road layout

There have been nearly one hundred recorded accidents in the area in the past five years. Twelve involved pedestrians or cyclists and three were fatal. Road safety would be improved by providing traffic signals at all junctions and the subways would also be replaced by pedestrian crossings as many people find them threatening.

The proposed scheme is designed to improve both travel and safety for everyone who uses the route, which forms part of the Northern Orbital Quality Bus Corridor. A number of measures are being proposed to speed up journey times on buses and to improve the reliability of services. These include creating a Rochdale bound bus lane along the section of Manchester Road past Tesco. The bus lane can be provided without reducing the amount of space available to other road users and cyclists will also be able to use it.

Councillor Allen Brett is the leader of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and the Rochdale spokesperson for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority. He said: "I'm pleased that Rochdale Council has been able to work together with the Passenger Transport Authority to improve the traffic system in this area of the borough.

"If the proposals receive the public's support, we will be able to create a new gateway for Rochdale which will help to encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport while improving life for other road users as well.

"I'm sure that replacing the Sudden Roundabouts and subways with traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will make the junction much safer and improve the flow of traffic as well."

Further information about the proposals is available by calling 0845 300 1316 or by visiting www.gmpte.com.