‘Gold standard’ route linking Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton unveiled

The plans were first revealed in September last year, with funding coming from Greater Manchester’s £1.07 billion share of a £5.7 billion funding package from the Department for Transport, known as the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements.

Mayor Andy Burnham said at the time that the route would feature ‘gold standard’ cycling connections, similar to the quality of a route on Oxford Road in Manchester City Centre.

Mayor Andy Burnham first announced the route in September 2022 (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Now, the Rochdale portion of the plans have been unveiled – with Oldham and Ashton plans still under wraps.

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The A671 in Rochdale is set to get a new bus lane, improved bus stops and a new segregated cycle track with pedestrian and cycle crossing points.

The plans also see a ‘quiet route’ for cyclists, with very light traffic and low speeds which riders can safely share with motor vehicles, alongside improved junctions with better-placed stop lines, pedestrian islands and signal timings to help buses get through quicker.   

The proposals form part of a wider scheme which focuses on the bus corridor through Rochdale Royton, Oldham and Ashton town centres on the A671 and A627 used by the 409 bus service.

The Rochdale portion of the route (Image: TfGM)

People who use the route and live nearby are now being asked to share their views on the proposals.  

According to TfGM, the following changes are proposed for the Rochdale portion of the route: 

• Improved bus stops along the corridor, to help people access the bus network.  
• Relocation of the existing inaccessible High Level Road bus stop (southbound) to the existing entrance to Ainsworth St; and the removal of Ainsworth St southbound bus stop.
• A new northbound bus lane on Oldham Road (A671) from Queen Victoria St to the south of the junction (opposite Charter St) to help buses get to the front of the traffic queue. 
• Improved road design at junctions on Oldham Road A671 with Wood Street; Durham Street/Crawford Street; Kingsway/Queensway; and Broad Lane with better placed stop lines, pedestrian islands, and signal timings to help buses get through quicker.  
• A new cycle track separated from motor vehicles northbound and southbound on Oldham Road (A671) from Drake Street to Gordon St (northbound) and Healing St (southbound), with a pedestrian and cycle crossing point at Healing Street.  
• A ‘Quiet route’ for cyclists from Gordon St/Hurst St (northbound) and Healing St (southbound) to Balderstone Park.
• Improved cycle and pedestrian crossing points along the full corridor.  

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The changes seek to improve the performance of bus services by making waiting for the bus more comfortable for passengers and helping people feel safer.

The plans were compared to the already-existing route on Oxford Road, Manchester (Image: TfGM)

TfGM director of bus Stephen Rhodes said: “By making it easier for people to travel by bus or walk, cycle, and wheel, some people will choose to do this rather than use cars.

“This could mean less traffic for people who still prefer to use a car or have to use a car. Not only will this improve people’s experience of using buses, it will also help us to tackle some of the big challenges we face as a region, including congestion and poor air quality.

“It will also support economic growth and regeneration and improve access to opportunities for everyone.”

Cllr Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It will be really good to see major investment into this key route across our borough, which is used by huge numbers of our residents and businesses each and every day. 

“Our colleagues at TfGM are keen to engage with the community and all businesses and residents on the route will be contacted directly soon. In addition, the planned dropped in sessions will give people the chance to discuss these proposals in detail and I would encourage people to get along and find out more.” 

This engagement period on the proposals for the Rochdale section of the route will run from Friday, December 15 to Sunday, February 4. 

TfGM will be holding two public drop-in sessions at Number One Riverside, Rochdale, on Wednesday, January 10 from 10am to noon, and Monday, January 15 from 2pm to 4pm. 

A paper copy of the survey, as well as alternative languages, can be requested at hello@beenetwork.com. These can be returned to TfGM at 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3BG.

Phone surveys can be completed by calling 0161 244 1000 between Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm and weekends and Bank Holidays from 8am to 8pm.    
  
TfGM says proposals for the Oldham and Tameside sections of the route will be revealed ‘in due course’, with consultations on those plans also due to be held.  

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk or click to send me a message on WhatsApp or on Signal on 07517566383.