£2m cycle lane and crossing on busy dual carriageway completed

Tuesday, 8 April 2025 09:25

By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter

Work on a long-awaited cycle lane and road crossing in the heart of Rochdale town centre has finally finished.

The £2m project has delivered a new crossing at St Mary’s Gate – a major dual carriageway between the town centre and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

It also includes a footpath linking Spotland Road and Redcross Street with separate sections for cyclists and pedestrians.

Safety concerns had been raised locally, with the stretch of road seeing 17 crashes between January 2018 and December 2023, two of which were fatal.

Rochdale Council believe the work will be a significant safety boost, as previously many had tried to walk across the busy road where there was no crossing point.

Rochdale resident, Alan Butterworth, 89, welcomed the changes. He said: “I live in Norden and try to walk into Rochdale a few times a week to stay healthy. This is a huge improvement.

“It was quite risky using this road before, but this will make my journeys much safer and anything which encourages me to keep walking is a really good thing.”

Access to the nearby Hunter’s Lane car park, which sits between Yorkshire Street and St Mary’s Gate, has been improved, with motorists now able to enter and exit via Hunter’s Lane.

The 40-space car park has also been reconfigured to make it easier to use and access.

Wider work to improve the nearby subway, close to the Townhead Junction, is also under way and will complete soon. The subway improvements, which links High Street and Cheetham Street, include widening the opening to significantly improve visibility, repainting and cleaning the inside and boosting the lighting.

Coun Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways at Rochdale Council, said: “St Mary’s Gate is a major gateway into Rochdale town centre and it’s very well used, so these improvements are massively welcome.

“Before we delivered this project, pedestrians and cyclists were having to either use the subway, or risk crossing a busy junction without proper facilities, so this scheme will substantially improve safety and make it easier for people to travel in and out of our vibrant town centre and enjoy everything it has to offer.

“The changes have also created facilities for cyclists for the first time, so we’re making it easier for people to get active and choose healthy travel choices, if they are able to.”

The council’s environmental team will be undertaking planting along the verges in the near future, to enhance the appearance of the area and finish off the scheme.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

‘We’ve been ‘parents’ to 31 children and every one of them means the world to us’

A couple whose ‘extraordinary commitment’ to being foster carers has transformed dozens of children’s lives are to be awarded Bury’s highest honour. Keith and Helen Atkinson, from Walmersley, are to be given the ‘freedom of the borough’ in early 2026 after looking after 31 children, mainly teenagers, since 1994.
Community centre left with £10,000 of damage just before Christmas

A ‘mindless attack’ has left a community centre in Oldham with more than £10,000 of damage just before Christmas. Holts Community Centre, on Near Birches Parade in the Holts housing estate, was last week targeted by vandals.
From survival to belief as Rochdale AFC look ahead to 2026

Just over 18 months ago, the future of Rochdale AFC looked bleak, with the club facing an uncertain existence after years of instability both on and off the pitch.
Changes to Christmas and New Year bin collections across the borough

Residents are being reminded that bin collections will follow a revised schedule over Christmas and New Year, with garden waste services paused and most other collection days temporarily moved.
Hephzibah’s Christmas artwork chosen for Rochdale council card

A ten year old pupil from a Middleton primary special school has seen her festive artwork turned into an official Christmas card used by the borough council.
Heywood AODS and Heykids secure 19 nominations at NODA District 7 awards

Heywood Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and its youth section Heykids have been recognised with a total of 19 nominations at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association District 7 awards.
Greater Manchester Police make 671 arrests during Festive Friday weekend

Greater Manchester Police made 671 arrests across the force area during the Festive Friday weekend, marking an increase of almost 15 percent compared with the same period last year.
Young sporting stars honoured in school Hall of Fame

SPORTING superstars who are excelling in cricket and gymnastics have had their photographs added to their school’s Hall of Fame.
New letters to loved ones post box opens at Bury Cemetery

A new post box allowing residents to leave letters and cards for people who have died has been installed at Bury Cemetery, following requests from members of the local community.
Cycling Santas raise more than £700 for Rochdale homelessness charity

Eight cyclists dressed as Santas have raised more than £700 for Petrus after completing a 19 mile fundraising ride around Rochdale.
Army of Kindness spreads festive cheer with hamper delivery to Rochdale residents

A Rochdale based community charity has marked the end of the year by delivering Christmas hampers to residents in supported housing, continuing its weekly work supporting people facing hardship.
Three men convicted after foiled antisemitic terror plot in Greater Manchester

Three men have been convicted following a major counter terrorism investigation into a planned antisemitic attack targeting Jewish communities in Greater Manchester.