A57 Link Roads

We're investigating ways to improve connectivity between Manchester and Sheffield.

Start date TBC
End date Road Period 3 (2025 - 2030)
Cost TBC

Latest updates

  • 22 November 2023

    Legal challenge update

    Last month a judicial review was heard at the High Court, regarding the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision to grant the A57 Link Roads scheme a development consent order.  

    The challenge focussed on two main areas. Firstly on the way cumulative carbon assessments were carried out, along with local plans. And secondly on how alternative options and their impact on the green belt were considered. 

    On Friday (17 November) the judge, Ms Justice Thornton, dismissed the claimant’s argument on ground two of the challenge. We welcome the decision made by the High Court.  

    Ground one of the challenge, relating to the assessment of carbon, is on hold as it’s subject to a case currently with the Court of Appeal.

    The one-day hearing for the A47 schemes is set for 16 January, with a decision expected in early 2024.

    As the legal proceedings for this are ongoing, we cannot comment any further until all matters have been addressed by the courts. 

    We remain committed to delivering this vital project and the benefits it will bring to the local community. We believe our proposals will provide much-needed relief for drivers and businesses that use this important route every day, while delivering an economic boost to the Greater Manchester and Sheffield city regions. 

  • 11 September 2023

    Legal challenge court date set

    In November 2022 the Secretary of State granted the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the scheme, a decision which was later challenged.

    We’re currently going through the legal process and expect the challenge to be heard in court on 3 October 2023.

    The challenge focuses on two main areas. Firstly on the way cumulative carbon assessments were carried out, along with local plans. And secondly on how the assessment of alternatives and their impact on the green belt have been considered.

    When the challenge is heard in court, an independent judge will consider whether the grounds of the challenge have any relevance to the Secretary of State’s decision. If the judge determines the grounds are valid, they will be assessed as part of the legal proceedings. A decision will then be made in favour of the challenge or against it.

    If the outcome of the judicial review is to uphold the DCO, we’ll look to resume our construction programme planning and mobilisation of site works as soon as possible.

    Once a decision from the court has been announced publicly, we will be updating this webpage with the outcome and our next steps.

    We remain committed to delivering this vital project and the benefits it will bring to the local community. We believe our proposals will provide much-needed relief for drivers and businesses that use this important route every day, while delivering an economic boost to the Greater Manchester and Sheffield city regions.

  • 17 January 2023

    A57 Link Roads legal challenge

    We’re aware that a legal challenge has been made against the Secretary of State’s decision to grant a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the A57 Link Roads scheme.

    The challenge focuses on two main areas. Firstly on the way cumulative carbon assessments were carried out, along with local plans. And secondly on how the assessment of alternatives and their impact on the green belt have been considered.

    Following the DCO announcement in November 2022, we had planned to start construction on the scheme in spring 2023. However, in light of the legal challenge this will not be possible.

    At this stage it is too early to say how much of an impact the legal challenge will have on our programme, but we anticipate that it could be several months before there is more clarity.

    We're disappointed about the legal challenge. We believe our proposals will provide much-needed relief for drivers and businesses that use this vitally important route every day, while also delivering an economic boost to the Greater Manchester and Sheffield city regions.

    You can keep up to date with the latest scheme news by signing up for webpage updates.

  • 17 November 2022

    Development Consent Order given the green light

    Yesterday we welcomed the decision by Transport Minister Huw Merriman MP to grant us a Development Consent Order. This allows us to move ahead with our plans to improve the A57 around Mottram Moor.  

    The route between the Manchester and Sheffield city regions currently suffers from heavy congestion. This restricts potential economic growth, as the delivery of goods to businesses is often delayed and the route is unreliable for commuters, which limits job opportunities.

    Our proposals will deliver much-needed additional capacity and better connectivity for people and businesses. This vital work will also reduce traffic levels that currently disrupts the lives of communities and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

    To help you visualise the new roads, watch our latest A57 Link Roads fly-through video.

    We would like to thank everyone who has provided feedback and helped shape this vital scheme.

    We now enter a six-week judicial review period, but we will continue to work closely with our stakeholders and move the project forward during this time.

    You can view the official decision letter and find more information on the Planning Inspectorate's website.

    Keeping you informed

    We plan to start work in spring 2023. To make sure you know what’s coming and to keep everyone up to date we will:

    • Issue regular updates via our scheme webpage and a project newsletter
    • Run online briefings. These are planned from early 2023 and will provide the opportunity to ask the project team any questions
    • Face-to-face public information events in early 2023. Our team will be at local venues to provide information on the scheme including timeframes, traffic management and potential diversions. We’ll also answer questions you may have about the work, more details on these events will be shared soon

  • 09 November 2022

    Scheme update

    We’re due to be hearing from the Secretary of State for Transport on Wednesday 16 November about whether we can continue with our A57 Link Roads proposals.

    Why is a Development Consent Order needed?

    The A57 Link Roads project was considered by the Government to be so important that it met the criteria of being a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), as defined in the Planning Act 2008. 

    This means that permission to build it needs to be given at a national level through a Development Consent Order (DCO). Watch this short animation to find out more about the DCO process.

    What are the different outcomes that the Secretary of State for Transport could announce?

    There are several possible scenarios. The DCO could be granted, granted with conditions, postponed or rejected.

    What can’t happen is a DCO is granted for parts of the scheme. The package of works is assessed as a whole, referred to in the DCO as the “authorised development”.

    Where can I find out about the A57 Link Roads DCO decision?

    We’ll be sharing news of the decision on this webpage, sign up for updates to ensure you’re kept informed.

    Information will also be shared on the A57 Link Roads Planning Inspectorate website.

    We’ll be running a series of public information events in the New Year, where you will be able to meet the project team and ask questions. More details will be shared about these events should our proposals receive a positive decision.  

    Why is the A57 Link Roads scheme needed?

    The route between the Manchester and Sheffield city regions currently suffers from heavy congestion. This restricts potential economic growth, as the delivery of goods to businesses is often delayed and the route is unreliable for commuters, which limits job opportunities

    Our proposals will deliver much-needed additional capacity and better connectivity for people and businesses.

    This vital work will also reduce traffic levels that currently disrupts the lives of communities and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Find out more about our plans by watching this short flythrough video.

    Supporting the local community

    While we wait for a decision we have been continuing to engage with stakeholders. This has involved supporting the local community and looking at opportunities to help us prepare the start of works, should we get approval.  

    We want your feedback

    We’re committed to providing project news that is meeting your needs. In light of this, we wanted to ask you a few questions about our newsletter that was issued in August.

    This short survey should take no longer than five minutes to complete. Your valued feedback will help us make improvements to our communications.

    Have your say by completing the A57 Link Roads newsletter survey. The deadline to complete this is 11.45pm on Friday 18 November. We really appreciate your feedback, thank you.

  • 21 October 2022

    Temporary traffic lights to be installed

    Two way temporary traffic lights will be set up on the A57 Hyde Road between the M67 roundabout and the BP garage on Friday 28 October 2022.

    The traffic lights will be in place between 8pm and 6am to allow us to carry out some trial holes in the footpath. Pedestrians will be diverted around the work. The BP garage will remain open.

    The trial holes will allow us to locate and look at the depth of the existing utility services. We’re looking to reduce the need for diversions in the future, if the scheme gets the go-ahead. 

    Scheme update

    Over the last few months, we've been working with stakeholders to refine the design of the project and prepare for construction.

    Subject to our Development Consent Order being approved, with a decision expected in November 2022, work will start in spring 2023.

  • 25 August 2022

    Scheme newsletter

    We’ve launched our first project newsletter, keeping you up to date with all the latest scheme news.

    You may have noticed we’ve been carrying out some archaeology surveys and we are starting to get involved in the local community by working closely with Copley Academy and Tameside College.

    You can find out about all of this and more by viewing our August 2022 newsletter.

  • 24 May 2022

    Examination process closes

    Our Development Consent Order (DCO) application, which was under examination to the Planning Inspectorate, concluded on Monday 16 May 2022.

    During the course of the examination period, we invited people to express their views on our preliminary design for the scheme.

    The examining authority now has three months to write their report and put forward a decision to the Secretary of State for Transport, who’ll then have a further three months to make a formal decision on our application. We’re expecting a decision to be made around autumn 2022.

    Over the coming months, our design and build contractor Balfour Beatty Atkins will be working with stakeholders to refine the design of the scheme and prepare for construction. Subject to approval, this will start in spring 2023.

    For the latest updates on our DCO application, visit the Planning Inspectorate’s website.

  • 31 March 2022

    Examination hearings - April 2022

    The Planning Inspectorate is currently reviewing our Development Consent Order (DCO) application and is holding a further series of examination hearings next month. These will take place on:

    • Tuesday 5 April
    • Wednesday 6 April
    • Thursday 7 April, if needed

    Due to the rising infection rates of coronavirus and limited requests to attend in person, the Examining Authority has decided that the hearings are to be held virtually using Microsoft Teams and by telephone.

    These online events are an opportunity for people who have requested to take part in the process, to speak directly to examining inspectors and raise any issues they may have.

    The Planning Inspectorate will live stream the hearings on its website and written transcripts will be published afterwards.

    To find out more about the hearings, and to see what topics they will cover, visit the Planning Inspectorate's website.

  • 07 February 2022

    Examination hearings

    The Planning Inspectorate is currently reviewing our Development Consent Order (DCO) application and is holding a series of virtual examination hearings.

    These online events are an opportunity for people who have requested to take part in the process, to speak directly to examining inspectors and raise any issues they may have.

    The Planning Inspectorate will live-stream the hearings on its website and written transcripts will be published afterwards. To find out more about the hearings, and to see what topics they will cover, visit the Planning Inspectorate’s website

  • 04 October 2021

    A57 fly-through

    You can now see a fly-through of our A57 Link Road plans.

  • 10 August 2021

    DCO Application Accepted

    Because the A57 Link Roads project is classed as a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’, we need to obtain consent to build the scheme through a Development Consent Order (DCO).

    On 28 June, we submitted our application for a DCO to the Planning Inspectorate. On the 26 July, the Planning Inspectorate accepted our application for examination. This means our DCO is now in the pre-examination period. During this stage interested parties who have registered by making a relevant representation are invited to provide more details of their views in writing. To register as an Interested Party, please visit the A57 Link Roads Planning Inspectorate website.

    We’ll then move into the examination period, meaning that the Planning Inspectorate has up to six months to carry out the examination. Careful consideration is given by the Examining Authority to all the important and relevant matters including the representations of all interested parties, any supporting evidence submitted and answers provided to the Examining Authority’s questions set out in writing or posed at hearings.

    The DCO process is explained below, and in this video. You can also find out more about DCO applications in this leaflet.

     

    Stages of the DCO process:

    Pre-application stage

    This is a 28 day period where the Planning Inspectorate review our submission to determine whether we have provided everything required for the application. We submitted our application on 28 June.

    Acceptable

    This does not mean that our DCO application is approved, it is when the Planning Inspectorate decides whether we have submitted all the relevant documentation to allow the application to move forward. The Planning Inspectorate accepted our application on 26 July.

    Pre-examination stage

    This stage allows for anyone to register as an Interested Party. By doing this, you will be able to submit a written representation or attend a public hearing to present your views.

    The Planning Inspectorate will also formally appoint a panel of inspectors to serve as the Examining Authority, and a first meeting will be held to discuss procedural issues and the timetable for examination, called the Preliminary Hearing.

    This is the stage we are currently in.

    Examination

    This is a six-month process when the Examining Authority will examine the DCO application against the tests in the National Policy Statement for National Networks.

    The Examining Authority will assess feedback from the public and stakeholders through written representations and the hearings. If you have registered as an Interested Party in the pre-examination phase, you can make a representation.

    Recommendation and decision stage

    Following the end of the six-month examination stage, the Examining Authority will have three months to write a recommendation report and submit it to the Secretary of State for Transport.

    The Secretary of State for Transport then has up to three months to make the final decision on whether to grant our DCO.

    Post-decision stage

    If the Secretary of State for Transport grants the DCO, this is the final stage of the process and provides a six-week window for anyone with legal grounds to challenge the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision through judicial review.

    This is when scheme construction will start.

  • 30 March 2021

    Ground and Archaeological Investigation Work

    Since February, you may have noticed we have been out and about as part of our ground and archaeological investigations along the route.

    This involves us carrying out bore holes and trial pits to check what the ground conditions are like, and to see whether we can find any historic items. We carried out some work in 2018 and these investigations will continue through to May, really helping us understand the area even more.

     

    This work will help us develop our final design ahead of applying for planning permission. If approved, we could start construction in spring 2023.

  • 18 December 2020

    Consultation now closed

    Our consultation on the updated design of the A57 Link Roads project has now closed. Thank you to everybody who took the time to share your views with us.

    Over the next few months we’ll be reviewing the feedback you provided, and using it to make alterations to the design of the new roads where necessary. We’ll then publish a consultation report, which summarises the responses we received.

    We’ll also continue talking to stakeholders during this time, as well as local organisations and groups, to design the best possible solution for improving traffic conditions in Mottram in Longdendale.

    We’re on track for submitting our application for a Development Consent Order in spring 2021. View our video which explains the planning process we follow for building major road projects, known as ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects’.

     

  • 05 November 2020

    Consultation now open – 5 November to 17 December 2020

    We’ve launched a consultation on the A57 Link Roads project and we want to hear your views on the updated design of the proposed road. The consultation is open until 23:59 on 17 December 2020.

    Following questions raised at our 2018 consultation, we’ve also revisited our air quality data and other environmental impacts. We’ve carried out additional monitoring and assessments, and we now have more environmental information available for you to view.  

    You can find all of our consultation materials and respond to the consultation by visiting our consultation page.

    Our traffic data is still being finalised and is therefore not yet available to view. We will be publishing this data when we make our application for a Development Consent Order in 2021. This follows the normal process for developing a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’. You can register as an interested party during the ‘Development Consent Order’ process, to have the opportunity to share your views on this data with the Planning Inspectorate.

    Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’re not holding face-to-face events as we normally would. Instead, we’re providing a range of alternative ways for you to speak to the project team, ask questions and ultimately make an informed response to the public consultation.

    If you have any questions about the consultation or the project, you can join one of our telephone consultation events by calling our freephone number 0808 196 4502 during the dates and times below:

    • Tuesday 10 November - 10am to 3pm and 4pm to 8pm
    • Tuesday 17 November - 10am to 3pm and 4pm to 8pm
    • Tuesday 24 November - 10am to 3pm and 4pm to 8pm

    If you have any technical questions which we’re unable to answer on the phone, we will arrange for a member from one of our technical teams to call you back. This will be on the following Thursday, at a time convenient for you.

    You can also join one of our webinars where we’ll present our proposals and hold a question and answer session. These will be held on the following dates and times:

    Please note: you may need to download the Microsoft Teams application onto your device to join these webinars.

    If you’re unable to access any of our materials or require these in a different format, please contact us on 0300 123 5000.

    You can watch this short video which explains the “Development Consent Order” process which we must follow to obtain consent to build the scheme. 

  • 29 October 2020

    Upcoming consultation

    We’re preparing to launch a public consultation from 5 November to 17 December 2020 on the changes that we’ve made to the design of the project since our last consultation in 2018. We’ve also carried out additional environmental surveys and monitoring, and we want to hear your views on the most recent data, and our plans for reducing the environmental impacts of the project.

    When the consultation launches, we will upload all of our consultation materials on this web page, including an online response form.

    We have published our ‘Statement of Community Consultation’ which sets out how we will carry out this consultation. You can view this in the documents section of this webpage.

    You can sign up to be notified via email when we update this page.

  • 25 August 2020

    Change to scheme delivery dates

    During 2018 we consulted with stakeholders and the public on our proposed plans for the Trans-Pennine upgrade project. Since then, we've been carrying out further air quality monitoring alongside our ongoing air quality assessment to ensure the scheme doesn’t affect areas of pre-existing air quality exceedances.

    It's important this data is in place before presenting our findings to all interested parties.

    The gathering and analysis of the air quality monitoring data has had an impact on the timescales for the delivery of the link roads, meaning that we now intend to start construction work on this project in early 2023. We plan to hold another consultation on the latest design and environmental information for the project later this year. Keep an eye on our web page for more details about the consultation, or sign up for email alerts when we update this web page with the latest information.

See more updates

Project information

Overview

The A57 Link Roads project was formerly known as the “Trans-Pennine Upgrade”, and is referred to as the “Mottram Moor Link Road and A57 Link Road project” in the Government’s second Roads Investment Strategy.

The A57 and A628 between Manchester and Sheffield currently suffer from heavy congestion, creating unreliable journeys. This restricts potential economic growth, as the delivery of goods to businesses is often delayed and the route is not ideal for commuters, which limits employment opportunities. 

Much of this heavy traffic travels through local roads, which disrupts the lives of communities and makes it difficult and potentially unsafe for pedestrians to cross the roads. These issues will only get worse with time if significant improvements aren’t made.

The current scheme has evolved over more than 50 years as different ideas have been explored. In 2017, after a wide consultation about a number of different options, we announced a package of Trans-Pennine Upgrade work, to improve the existing route connecting the M67 at Mottram in Longdendale to the M1, north of Sheffield.

We held another consultation on the proposed package of upgrades in 2018, and have since split the work into two projects which are being delivered separately:

  • Upgrades to the Westwood roundabout near Sheffield; packaged with technology improvements along the A628, A616 and A61, including electronic signs and improved closure gates
  • Creation of two new link roads at the western end of the A57/A628 route, to provide a dual carriageway bypass around Mottram in Longdendale

The A57 Link Roads project will include the creation of two new link roads:

  • Mottram Moor Link Road – a new dual carriageway from the M67 junction 4 roundabout to a new junction on the A57(T) at Mottram Moor
  • A57 Link Road – a new single carriageway link from the A57(T) at Mottram Moor to a new junction on the A57 in Woolley Bridge.

We started construction on the Westwood roundabout and technology improvements in March 2020. However, as the A57 Link Roads scheme is classed as a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’, to build it, we need to apply for a ‘Development Consent Order (DCO)’, which will be examined by the Planning Inspectorate and approved by the Secretary of State.

Our DCO video explains more about this process.

The scheme will:

  • Reduce congestion and improve the reliability of people’s journeys - through Mottram in Longdendale and between Manchester and Sheffield
  • Reduce noise levels and pollution for neighbouring properties - by reducing the amount of traffic from the existing A57 through Mottram in Longdendale
  • Re-connect local communities and create better conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians - in Mottram in Longdendale
  • Reduce delays and queues that impact the community - affecting residents, businesses and public transport in the area

Documents

A61 Westwood roundabout

Traffic information

Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.

Contact us

0300 123 5000

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