Local residents have expressed their frustration around traffic chaos caused by the gas works on the A57 Mottram Moor. 

The huge roadworks project began at the start of the month and is expected to last until the end of August. 

Cadent gas engineers are installing around 1,400 metres of new gas pipe under the road, which is part of the main route between Manchester and Sheffield. 

The new main will improve the feed to around 2,500 homes in the Glossop and Hadfield areas, with growth having put a strain on existing gas infrastructure.

Motorists and commuters are already used to experiencing delays on the busy road but journey times have been extended further as a result of the tailbacks caused by the roadworks. 

Back Moor and Stalybridge Road will be closed in alternative directions until 3 July, to allow the gas works to be undertaken on Back Moor with a connection on Stalybridge Road. The traffic will use the area as a gyratory.

Since a one-way system was introduced last week, vehicles travelling on Stalybridge Road can now use both sides of the carriageway - with the left lane for Mottram and Broadbottom bound traffic and the right lane for traffic towards the M67 motorway - but this hasn't always been followed as of yet, leading to heavy congestion along Roe Cross Road and Mottram Road. 

On Tuesday (19 April), some motorists reported journeys from Stalybridge to Mottram taking more than an hour. 

There are fears the situation could worsen when schools return next week after the Easter holidays. 

Commenting on social media, Alison Hinchliffe said: "Better signage needed from Cadent on Mottram Road to make people use BOTH LANES approaching the lights. I can't say I'm not concerned going into the GCSE season, as if they haven't had enough to worry about!" 

John Peter said: "45 minutes from Roe Cross to the bottom of the moor. Could they not double the work force and get this done quicker?" 

Thomas Weatherall said: "Hollingworth has gone from being gridlocked for a couple of hours a day, to the whole day. The pollution levels we are suffering because of this is not on." 

Gillian Joyce commented: "20 weeks of this disruption is crazy! Apart from the nightmare for commuters and those living in the affected areas, not sure many from the top of Stalybridge will be using local businesses such as Lymefield Farm shop and cafe, Glossop shops and Tesco at Hattersley for a while, when their route is totally gridlocked, which will be a shame.

"It might settle down when people fully understand the changes; only time will tell, but maybe a re-think is required." 

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds said he's in contact with Tameside Council and National Highways in a bid to improve the situation. 

He commented: "Very aware that the gas works in Mottram are causing severe congestion in the village and surrounding areas. I’m in close touch with Tameside Council and together asking National Highways to look into it, especially improved communications to encourage better flow through the now one-way Stalybridge Road.

"Villagers and everyone passing through for work etc deserve a reasonable journey time, and we can’t put up with this level of disruption when schools return." 

Cadent, which manages the local gas network, has previously said that its teams will be working seven days a week to hasten completion.

Craig Horrocks, head of Cadent's North West investment planning office, said: "This is a busy road and it's impossible not to have any impact on traffic. We've been liaising over many months now with agencies such as National Highways, Transport for Greater Manchester and Tameside Council to minimise disruption." 

Anyone who has any questions about the work can contact Cadent by calling 0800 090 3071, emailing CustomerCareNW@cadentgas.com or getting in touch online at https://cadentgas.com/contact-us/contact-form-nw