Plans to introduce cycle lane and 'improved bus stops' to Oldham Road revealed

New proposals looking to improve the route between Rochdale and Oldham have been revealed.

The plans, for Oldham Road in Rochdale, include a new bus lane, improved bus stops and a new segregated cycle track with pedestrian and cycle crossing points.

There is also a ‘quiet route’ for cyclists - which Transport for Greater Manchester describes as 'a route with very light traffic and low speeds which riders can safely share with motor vehicles - 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.

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

The Rochdale proposals are the first to go before the public for further engagement, after an exercise sought people’s views on the existing issues and conditions along the route, earlier this year. 
 

Read more: Traffic survey carried out on Oldham Road to ‘help shape travel improvements’Published: 10 August 2023

In Rochdale, the following changes are proposed:

• 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 Street; and the removal of Ainsworth Street southbound bus stop.
• A new northbound bus lane on Oldham Road (A671) from Queen Victoria Street to the south of the junction (opposite Charter Street) 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 separate from motor vehicles northbound and southbound on Oldham Road (A671) from Drake Street to Gordon Street (northbound) and Healing Street (southbound), with a pedestrian and cycle crossing point at Healing Street.
• A ‘Quiet route’ for cyclists from Gordon Street/Hurst Street (northbound) and Healing Street (southbound) to Balderstone Park.  A quiet route is a road with low amounts of traffic and low traffic speeds where cyclists can safely share the road with motor vehicles.
• Improved cycle and pedestrian crossing points along the full corridor.

The changes seek to improve the performance of bus services, make waiting for the bus more comfortable for passengers and help people feel safer.

Benefits for road users and communities along the corridor include helping to increase the number of people travelling on buses and walking, cycling and wheeling along the route.

Stephen Rhodes, director of bus at Transport for Greater Manchester, 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.”

Councillor 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 Transport for Greater Manchester 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.”

While there is the potential for short-term disruption during the construction phase, every effort will be made try to reduce the impact by as much as possible. Suggestions on how to do this from businesses and members of the public are welcome.

This engagement period on the proposals for the Rochdale section of the route will run from Friday 15 December 2023 to Sunday 4 February 2024.

Two public drop-in sessions will be held at Number One Riverside on the following dates:

• Wednesday 10 January 10am - 12noon
• Monday 15 January 2pm - 4pm

To request a paper copy of the survey, or the survey in an alternative language contact hello@beenetwork.com which can be returned to TfGM at Transport for Greater Manchester, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3BG.

Alternatively, complete a version of the survey over the phone by ringing 0161 244 1000 between Monday to Friday: 7am to 8pm and weekends and Bank Holidays: 8am to 8pm.

Proposals for the Oldham and Tameside sections of the route will be revealed in due course and people will then have their chance to have their say on these plans.