We’re developing plans to improve journeys for people catching the bus, walking, wheeling or cycling between Rochdale and Bury, via Heywood.
The work will focus on the 471 bus route, along the A58, and is planned to commence by 2027.
This will see major investment to improve bus stops, junctions, public spaces, passenger access and walking, wheeling and cycling routes.
As well as making changes to the road and traffic signals to speed up bus journeys and reduce delays, the proposals also include improving:
- The quality of bus stops along the route.
- The journeys from people’s homes, work or other destinations to and from bus stops.
- Connections to rail and Metrolink stops and other destinations to and from bus stops.
- Walking, cycling and wheeling routes, public spaces and nearby neighbourhoods.
The scheme is being delivered to:
- Increase the number of walking, wheeling, cycling and bus journeys along the route.
- Improve the performance of bus services between the towns.
- Improve where passengers wait for buses, making sure they are comfortable, fully accessible, safe and provide accurate travel information.
- Improve the safety, security and ease of travel to the walking and cycling network.
- Support economic growth, regeneration and access to opportunities, including jobs in town centres and other key destinations on the corridor.
Heywood town centre engagement sessions
In 2024 and 2025, TfGM and Rochdale Council carried out engagement sessions on the Heywood Town Centre proposals.
Your feedback has helped shape the plans, and we are now developing more detailed designs to support the business case.
Since the engagement sessions, the following changes have been made to the proposals:
- The bus gate on Lance Corporal Stephen Shaw MC Way has now been removed and will remain open to general traffic in both directions.
- The traffic signals at the Lance Corporal Stephen Shaw MC Way / Hind Hill Street junction will be upgraded to help traffic move more smoothly for all road users.
- The left turn from York Street onto Lance Corporal Stephen Shaw MC Way has been removed to create more space for public areas.
- The right turn from Market Street onto Dawson Street has been reintroduced.
Take a look at some mock ups:
Bamford Road and Dawson Street
Lance Corporal Stephen Shaw MC Way
Market Street
Next steps
Following engagement, a consultation is planned to take place on these detailed proposals in the future once they have been developed and at that point you will be invited to give your views once again.
Following the consultation on the detailed proposals, a final business case for the proposals will be reviewed by decision makers to decide what parts of the scheme should go ahead or not.
Funding
Funding for the work has been provided through the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which saw Greater Manchester awarded £1.07bn to help deliver the Bee Network. This is funding aimed at:
- Improving and developing local transport networks – particularly public transport networks – and cycling, walking and wheeling routes.
- Opening up new areas and improving links to jobs, education and housing.
- Creating innovative new transport schemes to solve problems.
