Traffic chaos in Rochdale Town Centre

Traffic chaos in Rochdale Town Centre

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Roadworks in and around Rochdale Town Centre are causing severe disruption and chaos for motorists.

Roadworks are now in place outside of Rochdale Town Hall with Newgate closed going into town. Diversion signs are clearly confusing as motorists are “driving round numerous times.” Cars are frequently heading down Newgate and having to turn around at the last minute.

Traffic is also queuing from Union Street, down Penn Street, Ballie Street, Milton Street and Smith Street, to get out of the junction at Smith Street/John Street, Molesworth Street traffic lights.

There are constant queues from outside Hopwood Hall College along St Mary's Gate where traffic is turning into Union Street as there is no right turn at the Townhead Junction whilst the roadworks are in place.

Mark Widdup, Director of Neighbourhoods at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The improvement works we are carrying at Townhead junction will improve traffic flow however a number of vehicles are using routes away from the diversions as shortcuts. We’re sorry for any delays but we’re working very hard to reopen the junction as soon as possible. When the improvement work is completed traffic will flow more freely through the Townhead junction during peak times, meaning shorter and safer journeys for drivers.”

Motorists are intensely frustrated with the constant traffic misery throughout the town centre.

Ann Smith, from The Home Store, said: "The traffic situation in town is horrendous. A short trip from my shop on Spotland Road to the Town Hall that previously took five minutes took me over an hour. That is ridculous."

Ann Marie Roberts said: “It’s a pain as I have to go to Croft Shifa every week and it’s always a nightmare. I avoid all I can but other roads are now getting clogged up with others doing the same. It’s ridiculous.”

June Eves said: “If they don’t get the roadworks and the town centre sorted out shortly, it will close down completely.”

Becky Kershaw said: “The way the roads are now around the centre puts me off going into Rochdale. A lot are no longer accessible or are now one way. It’s very frustrating.”

Rod Jones said: “There are so many roadworks in Rochdale that I don’t go there anymore. It’s easier to go to Bury by car or Manchester on the train from Castleton.”

Gemma Singleton said: “I was planning on attending the event at the Town Hall yesterday (Wednesday 23 September) but having driven around numerous times and no parking spaces as the Town Hall car park was shut, I gave up. They have also affected my business as I used to get students who would travel from Littleborough to my dance studio on Mellor Street, but now the journey can take over half an hour so I’m losing out on business.”

Kenneth Hall said: “What really concerns me about the on-going roadworks is if there is an emergency at busy times in the town centre area. If there was a major fire or any accident of any kind, how long would it take the emergency services to get through? A few extra minutes could cost someone’s life. This has been badly planned.”

Jon Lord said: “I’m a taxi driver and I picked up a regular fare from the Flying Horse to Shawclough and, because of the diversions in place, it almost doubled their usual fare.”

Chrissie McCole said: “I went down Newgate but couldn’t get through, so I drove back up to go past the police station, trying to park on the Town Hall, but you can’t. I needed to get to the bank. This is seriously a joke. They want people to come to Rochdale but no-one can get anywhere.”

Local business owners who need to travel to and from the Town Centre are also fed up. Sue Marcroft, from Good Companions, said: “I think the roadworks put people off. We didn’t know about them until we got to the Town Hall.”

Helen Stewart, from The Deckers Group, gave up making her way to Rochdale Town Hall on Wednesday (23 September) afternoon. She said: “I don’t know the area too well but I left The Crimble at 3:20pm and went straight along the road that takes you to the Town Hall, but once I got to the junction, it said it was closed. I followed the diversion but just ended up driving round for hours. At one point, I couldn’t even see the Town Hall. I eventually gave up at 6pm because I had no idea where I was going. I was then stuck in traffic because of everyone leaving work. It was a nightmare.”

Gary Livesey, from Premier Garden Services, said: “I went to park behind the Town Hall and I couldn’t. I had to follow the diversion and to me, because I drove from Castleton, it would have made sense to put a diversion sign before Tweedale Street letting people know. Then at 7pm when I was leaving the town centre, it was just chaos. My wife was in town at about 5:30pm and thought there had been an accident because of how busy it was.”

Lawrence Glendinning said: “I’m concerned for the traders suffering as a result of the endless roadworks at John Street and the river opening where people can’t move around our town centre as well as before. Plus, I use public transport to and from medical appointments – it adds to the time of getting there.”

Steve Reay, Head of Highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We’ve had to close some roads in the Town Hall and Esplanade area for a six-week period while we realign their routes to make way for the river reopening scheme, which will bring significant long-term economic benefits to the town centre. All businesses in the area were made aware of these changes well in advance and the diversion route is clearly signposted.”