Revised improvements to Sudden Roundabouts published

Date published: 28/02/2006

Transport planners have revised a major scheme to improve travel near the Sudden Roundabouts in Rochdale to take into account feedback received following initial consultation in November and December last year.

The new plans – developed by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council – aim to address the concerns some residents raised about the original proposals in respect of access and potential levels of traffic. Thousands of leaflets have been delivered to residential and business addresses around the Sudden Roundabouts.

The revised scheme will retain Old Manchester Road’s accessible and quiet nature, and allow drivers on the A58 Manchester Road convenient access to and from Old Manchester Road, Newbarn Lane and the Highfield Hospital/Kemp Avenue junctions.

Additionally, replacing the roundabouts and subways with new traffic-light controlled cross-roads and surface pedestrian crossings will add to overall safety for all road users and pedestrians as well as reduce congestion and delays.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE Projects Director, commented: “People who use or live near to the Sudden Roundabouts will know all about the congestion and tailbacks during the rush hours and will acknowledge that something needs to be done.

“Pedestrians also tell us that using the subways under one of these junctions can often feel intimidating – especially for schoolchildren, residents and shoppers. To counter this, we are looking at replacing the roundabouts and subways and, instead, installing surface pedestrian crossings. This is intended to improve pedestrian safety – and the safety of all road users – in addition to combating delays and growing congestion.”

Continuing, Mr Renshaw added: “This is the second phase of consultation concerning Sudden Roundabouts. We hope that these revised proposals reassure those people who had concerns about the potential for part of Old Manchester Road being used as a ‘rat run’ and those who were worried about access to and from major roads in the area.

“We also intend to continue improving bus facilities for passengers in the area, including the provision of Rochdale-bound bus lane along the section of Manchester Road, near to Tesco – which forms part of the Northern Orbital Quality Bus Corridor. The construction of this bus lane will not reduce the amount of space available to other road users and cyclists will also be able to use it.”

The transport planning team behind the new proposals will be available to talk about the scheme and answer questions on a one-to-one basis at an exhibition at Brimrod Methodist Church on Thursday 2 March between 4pm and 7pm.

Leaflets will also be made available at around 50 Community Access Points in the area, such as shops, libraries and doctor’s surgeries in the area. Further information is also available by calling the Information Line on 0845 300 1316 or by visiting www.gmpte.com or www.rochdale.gov.uk.

It is now hoped that construction on the scheme will start towards the end of 2006.