Known for being one of the busiest junctions in Rochdale, the junction consisting of Bury Road, Roch Valley Way and Sandy Road has had huge traffic issues since the beginning of developments in March; cars have been backed up for up to a mile.
Location of the junction
What was promised to be a 13-week project has only just begun, 15 weeks after plans were initiated in the beginning of spring.
When discussing the road works with those located near the area, issues surrounding congested traffic, reduced access and lower business rates for communities became apparent.
Oulder Hill Leisure Complex is one of these businesses which has been affected due to the blockages caused by traffic
Leisure worker for the complex Iman Awan said: “We have noticed a significant decrease in the amount of people coming for a swim or to use the gym, due to traffic blocking the road into the building.”
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“non-members are choosing to go to other centres to avoid blockages. It took me 15 minutes to get into the car park, a drive which would normally take five.”
The project will add pedestrian facilities to the junction, as well as safer crossing with green man traffic lights that the council hope will facilitate for Oulder Hill Leadership Academy students.
In addition to the introduction of the new pedestrian crossings, curbs around each of the roads will be slightly re-aligned to further improve safety for civilians.
Nearby resident Keith Johnson said: “There are already footpaths for the school kids to go down to get home, they all cut through the cemetery; not one of them will use the new facilities, they are pointless.”
The roads and pavements on the junction are also being planned to be resurfaced however, residents of the area believe there are more important roads that need work on and are being ignored.
Mr Johnson said: “The majority of the side roads off Bury Road all have pot holes that need resurfacing. That is what the council should be focusing on.”
He added: “It has just caused a massive inconvenience for everyone, and the delays are just making everything worse. They should be finished by now.”
The project was expected to be finished by the end of May, but is now estimated to not be finished until mid-June, having just began resurfacing new footpaths for pedestrians to walk on.
