A key section of the A640 Milnrow Road in Rochdale has been closed to allow urgent gas mains upgrade work, as part of a £75 million project by Cadent.
Cadent confirmed that an emergency road closure was introduced on the night of Tuesday 19 November 2025. The closure affects the junction of Milnrow Road and Witley Road, where engineers are completing the final stage of a project to replace ageing gas infrastructure.
Initial plans to use temporary traffic lights were abandoned after assessments found the work had to be carried out in the centre of the carriageway. The company said a full closure was now the only safe way to complete the job.
The upgrade is part of a wider £75 million programme taking place across the North West. In the Rochdale area alone, over 9.5km of gas pipe will be replaced over a 12-month period. Despite the scale of the project, the gas supply to homes and businesses will remain unaffected.
Lucy Sterry, Head of Work Management at Cadent, said: “More than 80 percent of homes in Rochdale rely on gas central heating. These pipelines are how the gas reaches them. When the pipes reach the end of their lifespan, we must replace them to keep people safe.”
She added that Cadent would work as quickly and safely as possible to minimise disruption, and thanked residents and road users for their patience.
Diversions are in place, and the team is aiming to complete the works over the weekend to reopen the road as soon as possible. Drivers are being advised to allow extra time for journeys through the area.
The project began during the summer and has seen significant works carried out across Milnrow Road and surrounding streets. It is one of many similar schemes in the region funded through Cadent’s long-term investment plan.
Residents are reminded that if they smell gas, they should not assume it is related to these works. Instead, they should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.
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