TAMESIDE: This road’s been talked about since 1965 – now it’s finally set to be built

A huge step has been taken towards the construction of Mottram Bypass in Tameside – having first being mooted in 1965.

Jonathan Reynolds, the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, has hailed the High Court’s decision to knock back the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s legal challenge to block the new road being built.

There was a delay on the decision as the CPRE’s case was "stayed", awaiting a Court of Appeal decision relating to another proposed bypass in Boswell. 

Now, almost six decades after it was first discussed, the Mottram Bypass is on track to be built.

The scheme, estimated to be worth around £228m, is designed to tackle congestion between Manchester and Sheffield. Work was due to start in the earlier part of 2023, but the legal challenge from the countryside charity put a halt on proceedings. 

CPRE applied for a judicial review, saying Transport Secretary Mark Harper failed to take into account the impact of increased carbon emissions and failed to consider alternatives to building a new road on the green belt. This has now been rejected.

MP Jonathan Reynolds said: “I am absolutely delighted with the news from the High Court today that the final legal hurdle to the construction of the Mottram Bypass has been overcome. The bypass is finally getting built. 

“As a former resident of Mottram and of Hollingworth, and former Longdendale councillor, I have spent 20 years fighting to get this much needed road built. This infrastructure will boost local health outcomes and quality of life, as well as the regional economy. 

“It’s been a long time coming but the end is finally in sight.

“Many local people are familiar with the history of this essential project, which is that the Department of Transport initially sent inspectors to Hyde in 1965 to begin this process. The original M67 would have incorporated the bypass and connected Manchester city centre with Sheffield.

“For my own part, as someone who first attended a resident’s meeting on this issue in 2003, it is brilliant news. My old ward colleague, the late Cllr Roy Oldham, would also be delighted.”

Around 25,000 vehicles a day travel along the A57 in Mottram in Longdendale, one of Greater Manchester’s most congested stretches of road. The proposed new dual carriageway would be created from the M67 junction 4 roundabout to a new junction on the A57(T) at Mottram Moor.

A new single carriageway would also be constructed to connect to the A6018 Roe Cross Road and a new road linking the A57(T) at Mottram Moor to a new junction on the A57 at Woolley Bridge.

According to the shadow business secretary, it will take around three years to build. 

“Highways England, who I last met with a week ago, will now update and publish the key information on the scheme,” the Stalybridge and Hyde MP continued. “The construction compound will be built near the BP Garage on Hyde Road. Construction will take 2.5-3 years. A small number of families who currently rent properties from Highways England will have to move, but I have spoken to the authorities about this to make sure they are supported. 

“There will be disruption for a project of this scale, but as ever, I will continue to make sure people are fully informed of what is happening. Finally, there is of course still the need to ensure Hollingworth and Glossop also receive a solution to our traffic problems. 

“The Department of Transport has done many studies over the last few years into the wider Manchester-Sheffield transport corridor, and now we have got through this hurdle I will be seeking to meet them alongside my neighbouring colleagues to address this.”

Mr Reynolds went on to thank local campaigners, councillors, his neighbouring MPs as well as MP for High Peak, Robert Largan, and the prospective Labour candidate, Jon Pearce, for their support in getting the project over the line.