Ring road plans submitted

Plans to construct a new ring road to control traffic flow around Rochdale Town Centre have been submitted.

The plans, from the Impact Partnership, would see Wood Street linked to Drake Street.

The new stretch of road would then form a complete ring road from Manchester Road, Molesworth Street and Drake Street.

The scheme is subject to a decision by planning officers.

If given the go ahead buildings on Wood Street and Richard Street would be demolished to make way for the new stretch of road.

The planning application states: “The Rochdale Ring Road currently forms an incomplete loop around Rochdale Town Centre separated by the Central Retail Park.

“In order to complete the Rochdale Ring Road it is necessary to construct a link between Wood Street and Drake Street.

“The addition of the proposed link will provide more concise and convivial routes to people travelling into, out of and through Rochdale.

“As a result of this development the Town Centre will become more friendly to pedestrians as vehicular traffic opts to use the Ring Road as opposed to ‘rat runs’ through the Town Centre, which happens now.

“The Central Retail Park will benefit from being situated adjacent to the ring road. The vehicular access to the Central Retail Park will be greatly improved and the Central Retail Park will attract customers from the thousands of vehicles using the proposed Ring Road on a daily basis.”