Castleton to Rochdale Active Travel Scheme

Phase 2 works - March 2025 to January 2027

About the scheme

From September 2022 to January 2025, phase one works took place on Manchester Road in Castleton, on the section of road from Castleton Railway Station to The Royal Toby Hotel. This delivered new footpaths, segregated cycle lanes, crossing points, car parks and a community play park.

Part of the Greater Manchester Bee Network project, we're now moving onto phase two of the works to deliver further improvements along Manchester Road - a busy stretch of road, linking Rochdale and Castleton. The second phase of works started in March this year, and is expected to be completed by January 2027.

The first works of phase two of the project have commenced along Manchester Road, and are expected to continue until August this year [2025].

From 7.30am to 5pm on weekdays only, roadworks are taking place between The Royal Toby Hotel and Silk Street. There will also be work carried out at the junction of Manchester Road and Tweedale Street.

To keep disruption to road users, cyclists and pedestrians to a minimum throughout the duration of the works, the following will be observed:

One side of the road will stay open at any one time, and temporary traffic lights will manage the flow of traffic. Transport for Greater Manchester and Rochdale Borough Council are working to minimise any delays during the works.
If a full closure of any part of the road is required, this will only be done overnight, with signage in place to notify road users, in advance of the closure.
There is currently no plans to carry out any work at weekends, but if things change, signage will also be in place to notify road users prior to any such works.
Pedestrians will be able to pass the works safely at all times.

From August 2025 to March 2026

Works will take place from the junction of Manchester Road, Silk Street and Bolton Road to the junction of Manchester Road, Roch Valley Way and Edinburgh Way. This includes improvements to the road crossing that connects the Tesco site to Montgomery Street.

From March 2026 to August 2026

Works will take place from the junction of Manchester Road and New Barn Lane to the junction of Manchester Road and Tweedale Street. This also includes the area in front of Highfield Hospital.

From August 2026 to January 2027

Works will take place from the junction of Manchester Road and Drake Street to the junction of Manchester Road and The Esplanade.
Additional works will be carried out on three ‘Quiet Street’ routes that run alongside the main road. These works won't affect the main road traffic, and you'll still be able to get to all nearby properties during the work.

On completion of the scheme, the local area will benefit from safer and easier journeys, with new crossings to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and new, optimised lights which will monitor traffic movements and speed up journey times.

Other benefits include a boost to public health, better public spaces, reduced levels of traffic and lower flood risk.

The improvments from phase two of the works include the following

New landscaping, planting and opportunities for people to help plant landscaped areas
Improved footpaths and cycle lanes
New crossings at major junctions
Road re-surfacing
Traffic calming measures on quiet streets to improve the safety and experience of all road users
New benches and seating
Replacing the New Barn Lane subway with a new road crossing

View a map of the improvements delivered by active travel scheme.

You can alo find out more about this scheme by visiting the Rochdale Borough Council website.