A61 Westwood roundabout and A628 Woodhead Pass
Improvements at Westwood roundabout (A61/A616) at Tankersley and technology improvements along the A628 Woodhead Pass
Latest updates
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22 June 2022
Technology upgrade
We are in the process of delivering a technology improvement scheme on the A628 Woodhead Pass.
The scheme will provide a series of new Variable Message Signs (VMS) on the approaches to new automated closure gates. The closure gates are at the same locations as the previous manually operated gates.
The aim of closure gates and VMS is to reduce the time taken to close a route in severe weather. It will also provide better information to drivers.
The new closure gates will be operated from the side of the road. The details for opening the closure gates will only be provided to landowners, businesses and emergency services in the area.
The scheme was started in 2020 but experienced delays to power connections that affected delivery of the scheme. We continue to work with the power companies to arrange the connections, but want to make sure we’re ready to use the gates as soon as possible once power is connected.
We are keen to arrange training for any residents and landowners who may need to access the area inside the gates during a closure, please contact the scheme via westwoodandtechnology@nationalhighways.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 5000.
This work is due to be completed in 2023. This unfortunately has been delayed from our initial date in 2022.
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01 March 2021
Westwood roundabout upgrade complete
A major upgrade to improve the flow of traffic and increase capacity at Westwood roundabout has been completed.
An extra lane has been added to the roundabout and some of its approaches improving journey times between Sheffield and Manchester for the thousands of drivers who use the route every day.
The improvements at the busy interchange will also improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians.
- An extra lane has been added to Westwood roundabout and some of its approaches, improving journey time reliability and reducing congestion
- Added 39 new traffic signals to manage the peak congestion to create a free flowing network
- Laid 9,524 square metres of resurfacing to provide drivers with smother and safer journeys
- Installed 19 new LED lights which are more efficient, and reduce carbon
- Improved safety with 472 metres of new/improved safety barrier and 986 metres of new kerbing
- Added 469 metres of new drainage to keep the roads free of flood water, improving safety
- Introduced new pedestrian crossings on the A61 exit heading north and the A616 exit heading east to improve safety
The £18.6 million investment also includes adding technology along the A628 to improve journey time reliability and provide drivers with up to date, real-time information.
Since October 2020 new infrastructure has been installed along the A57, A628, A61 and A616 to allow for new variable message signs to be installed.
Project information
Overview
We’ll be reducing congestion and improving the flow of traffic for drivers through Westwood roundabout in Tankersley, Sheffield. This will also reduce congestion and improving the reliability of peoples journeys between the Manchester and Sheffield city regions.
Our improvements along the A628 will also help to improve safety for drivers and allow them to make more effective decisions through the use of electronic message signs.
Benefits
By adding an extra lane on the roundabout and some of the approaches of Westwood roundabout we’ll be able to reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability. Traffic lights will also be added to all the approaches apart from Maple Road.
We’ll also be installing technology, such as electronic information boards, on the A628 which will allow drivers to make more effective decisions about their journeys and improve journey time reliability.
This scheme is part of a wider package of work that will improve the existing route connecting the M67 at Mottram in Longdendale to the M1, north of Sheffield. Please see our A57/A628 Trans-Pennine upgrade scheme to see what else we are doing along this route.
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Traffic information
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