Major junction upgrade gets underway next week

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

The junction at Bury Road, Roch Valley Way and Sandy Lane is to be upgraded with new pedestrian crossings

Work to upgrade a major road junction in Rochdale will get under way next week with four way temporary traffic lights in place from Monday 19 February until May.

The junction at Bury Road, Roch Valley Way and Sandy Lane is being upgraded with four new pedestrian and cycle crossings to be added in a safety boost for the area.

Although well used, the junction currently has no pedestrian facilities, despite it being a four way crossing.

In addition to the introduction of the new pedestrian crossings, kerbs around each approach will be slightly re-aligned to further improve safety, while the lane designation on Roch Valley Way will be altered to improve journeys. The road and pavements around the junction will also be resurfaced as part of the project.

Councillor Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This junction is one of the busiest in the borough, but also one of the oldest, so it was built to 1960s standards, which simply don’t work for us in this day and age.

“This scheme will significantly improve safety at this vital junction and I know these changes will be welcomed by the many thousands of our residents who use it each and every day.”

Four way temporary traffic lights will be in place for the duration of the works, so motorists are advised to leave extra time for their journeys.

The scheme which is being funded by TfGM and will be delivered by local firm, J Cooney Ltd, is expected to be complete by the end of May.