Improvements to Rochdale town centre roads

Rochdale Pedestrian routes map

A series of highways improvements in Rochdale town centre will get underway in the coming weeks.

The work, which will take around three weeks to complete, will see the installation of a crossing between the entrance and exit doors of the bus station on Smith Street and the Metrolink stop across the road.

On 23 June work will then begin on a new bus gateway on Smith Street. Engineers will narrow the road and improve signage to remind motorists that this section of the road is for cycles and buses only.

Once this is completed, a four week project to make Milton Street, which links Baillie Street and Smith Street, two-way is expected to start on 14 July.

The work will enable drivers travelling down Smith Street from John Street to turn right at the mini roundabout outside Mecca Bingo and St Andrews Church to enable easier access to the Baillie Street car park.

This change will also improve access to the 200 space car park which will be constructed on the site of the old bus station once demolition has been completed and before construction of the town centre east scheme begins.

Occasional road closures may be needed on Milton Street, but these will take place overnight to minimise disruption.

Cllr Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for Highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “These changes will ensure that our residents and visitors are can move around Rochdale town centre safely and easily during this time of rapid change.”