Traffic to be hit for 3 months as junction has safety upgrade
TRAFFIC is set to be hit for three months by works to transform a busy four-way junction.
The junction of Bury Road, Roch Valley Way and Sandy Lane – near Rochdale Cemetery and Crematorium and the Cemetery Hotel – is said to be one of the town’s busiest, but also one of its oldest.
The council said the junction was constructed to 1960s standards – and the programme of work will improve safety.
Work to upgrade the junction, which also serves fans going to Rochdale Football Club from the motorway on matchdays, is set to start next week.
The junction will be upgraded with four new pedestrian and cycle crossings, said the council in a statement on Wednesday.
Although well used, it currently has no pedestrian facilities, despite it being a four-way crossing.
Four way temporary traffic lights will be in place – with the programme of work pencilled in to end in late May.
The council said: “In addition to the introduction of the new pedestrian crossings, kerbs around each approach will be slightly re-aligned to further improve safety, while the lane designation on Roch Valley Way will be altered to improve journeys.
“The road and pavements around the junction will also be resurfaced as part of the project.
“Four way temporary traffic lights will be in place for the duration of the works, so motorists are advised to leave extra time for their journeys.
“The scheme, which is being funded by Transport for Greater Manchester and will be delivered by local firm, J Cooney Ltd, is expected to be complete by the end of May.”
Councillor Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways at Rochdale council, said: “This junction is one of the busiest in the borough, but also one of the oldest, so it was built to 1960s standards, which simply don’t work for us in this day and age.
“This scheme will significantly improve safety at this vital junction and I know these changes will be welcomed by the many thousands of our residents who use it each and every day.”