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 fully accessible and are comfortable, safe and secure, including providing accurate travel information.
- Improve the safety, security, comfort 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.
Have your say: Heywood Town Centre proposals
In Spring 2024, we carried out a first round of engagement on our proposals for Heywood Town Centre and asked people for their views on our proposals.
We have used the feedback from this engagement to develop the proposals further.
We are now carrying out a second round of engagement on updated proposals between 7 April and 18 May 2025.
We will use feedback from this to then further refine our proposals and create a more detailed set of plans.
Since the last engagement, 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 one-way system on Hartley Street has been removed and will remain open to traffic in both directions.
- A signals upgrade at L/Cpl Stephen Shaw MC Way / Hind Hill Street has been included to improve junction efficiency for all road users.
- The left turn from York Street to L/Cpl Stephen Shaw MC Way has been removed to give an increased area of public realm.
- The right turn manoeuvre from Market Street to Dawson Street has been reinstated.
You can find out more and have your say by going to GM Consult's website.
Take a look at some mock ups:
Bamford Road and Dawson Street
Lance Corporal Stephen Shaw MC Way
Market Street
Here is an overview map of the scheme:
Public Drop-In Sessions are planned to take place:
- Wednesday 23rd April: 9am – 12pm
- Tuesday 6th May: 5pm – 8pm
Events will be held in the Community Rooms at Heywood Sports Village, West Starkey Street, Heywood, OL10 4TW.
These public drop-in sessions will allow people to speak to members of staff about the proposals 1-2-1 or in small groups.
A paper copy of the survey can also be requested and returned Freepost to Transport for Greater Manchester.
Next steps
Following this 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 eventual 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.
