14/06/2026
Please read
I wanted to give another update to Rochdale Borough Residents in my capacity as the New Cabinet Member for Highways on the Sudden Junction capacity improvements.
Firstly, I want to make clear these road works were planned before I was in post, and it’s something I’ve had to deal with straight away.
The Council is not paying for this project and it is a TFGM funded project.
In the first week (18th May) they created absolute traffic chaos. I made it clear to Highways and TFGM Officers this could not continue and that it was causing misery to residents across the Borough who use this junction.
I had lots of improvements put in place which significantly reduced the level of back logs and queuing. I also made it crystal clear that the contractors must be working at speed and get these works completed ahead of schedule.
Multiple residents emailed in raising various concerns about these road works when they first started, I made sure that Highways Officers responded personally to each one and each concern was specifically looked into.
Some of the lane closures have been reduced and cones removed. This has significantly improved things and I am pushing to get more opened up as soon as legally possible, including the left hand lane on Manchester Road as you approach the Junction coming from Rochdale.
2 weeks ago I organised and chaired a meeting with Emergency Services including senior officers from GMP to discuss who response times were being impacted by these works and how this could be improved. Multiple measures were put in place following this which has significantly improved this, including live monitoring of traffic movement with sensors for emergency lights.
I have also increased my Portfolio Holder Meetings I have with Senior Highways Officers, this is something I put in place in my first week in post. I also am in touch with officers on a daily basis.
A new traffic management system RAMS has also been put in place which has significantly cut queuing time.
The contractors are running ahead of schedule and the works are taking shape quickly. Once finished this will increase capacity on the junction by 20%.
The works which were originally due to take place for 12 months will now be completed within 7 months at the worst case scenario. With 50% of the works being finished by November at t he very latest, and the full scheme finished by January. It has also now been agreed that the resurfacing work on the junction will take place at night, further reducing inconvenience to residents.
In addition to this I have got the Highways Officers continuing discussing with TFGM to ask for funding to speed the road works up even further.
As the kerbs are now taking shape, I am hopeful in 2 weeks time more of the cones and lane closures may be able to be reduced, but I will update further at the time.
What else have I made sure has been done with my Officers?
Increasing dedicated queueing capacity for southbound traffic on the A58 towards Edinburgh Way
Improving capacity for movements from Edinburgh Way southbound towards Castleton
Prioritisation given to removal of an existing traffic island on Edinburgh Way, enabling the reinstatement of two northbound traffic lanes
I have also taken the decision 2 significant nearby road works for resurfacing which were due to take place whilst this was taking place. Not on my watch! They can be done after this has been completed.
As previously stated the planned cycle lanes for Oldham Road, Rochdale have been cancelled. This was the decision of myself, the leader of the Council Cllr Neil Emmott, and Cllr Danny Meredith Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration. Only 1% of Rochdale Boroughs residents cycle to work or school according to Government Data. The majority is by car, bus or walking. So we must prioritise improving journeys for motorists, public transport users and pedestrians in any future plans.
Road works in our Borough must be reduced and better planned. That is my priority, along with improving our roads and pavements.
I would like to thank my Highways Officers for continuing to working with me to achieve these objectives and to the Contractors for really upping their game with these specific road works.
Lastly, the contractor has created a WhatsApp channel with regular updates for those who use the Sudden Junction. This can be access here: Follow the Manchester Road Highway Improvements channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCI18z1XquXOHfSSw2c
I delayed giving my update as I wanted to ensure over a week had passed since half term, to ensure these changes were actually helping.
Below is a photo taken on Thursday, which shows how quickly the work is taking shape.
Update: due to the 100s of comments this post has generated on various groups, including some I’m not in and unable to respond to, if you would like to raise anything and want a response please email me at [email protected]
Thank you
