Improving journeys: Rochdale

Through a joined-up Bee Network we’re helping more people get where they need to go with safer, easier, affordable connections by bus, tram, train, or walking, wheeling and cycling.

As part of this, we’re investing in schemes to make travel easier and to help people get from A to B.

The plans are being put in place to speed up bus journeys and reduce delays for all road users, including motorists, by easing congestion, improving bus stops so they are fully accessible, comfortable, safe and secure, and improving journeys by walking, wheeling and cycling by making them as safe as possible.

Have your say

One area we are looking to improve journeys is the main corridor between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham and Ashton town centres (A627 and A621), used by the 409 bus service – one of the busiest bus routes in Greater Manchester. This work is set to take place between now and 2027.

Improving this key route will help the local economy to keep growing and help local communities to thrive.

We are asking for people’s views on the detailed proposals for the Rochdale section of the route until 23:59 on 12th September 2025.

Have your say on the detailed proposals for the Rochdale section

Next steps

Once this consultation has ended, the consultation responses will be analysed, and aspects of the detailed proposals may change depending on the feedback.

Once this analysis process has taken place, Rochdale Council will then carry out a separate, formal Traffic Regulation Order consultation on any aspects of the final proposals that would require changes to traffic regulations.

This separate Traffic Regulation Order consultation is anticipated to take place in October 2025 and would be available on the Rochdale Council website.

Following this, a final business case would be submitted and reviewed by decision makers.

The map below provides an overview of the route connecting Rochdale, Royton, Oldham, and Ashton. It highlights several areas in Rochdale, for which more detailed maps are available. These detailed maps show the proposals that are being consulted on for Rochdale until the 12th September 2025.

Map overview showing the Rochdale Oldham Ashton Bus Corridor. Areas along the A671 proposed for improvement works are highlighted.

Maps of proposals for Rochdale

Map outline showing proposed improvements on the A671 Oldham Road and Milnrow Road between the junctions with Drake Street and High Level Road. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text.

The proposed changes on A671 Oldham Road and Milnrow Road between the junctions with Drake Street and High Level Road include:

Bus only on the right turn from Milnrow Road to Drake Street. Lane designation amended so that the right-hand lane is straight head only for all other vehicles. All vehicles will still be able to turn left onto Milnrow Road and go straight ahead to School Lane.
Cycle lanes along Oldham Road from Drake Street to south of Durham St/Crawford St separated from motor vehicles in both directions with cycle priority across side roads.
An improved pedestrian and cycle crossing at the junction of Milnrow Road and Oldham Road to Baron Street to access the town centre.
Repositioning of kerb lines and stop lines to create improved road design at the junction of Oldham Road and Wood Street, with signal timings to help buses get through the traffic lights quicker.
Better cycle crossing facilities north and south on Oldham Road and from west to east from the Retail Park to Wood Street. Due to space constraints and traffic signal timings, it has not been possible to propose a cycle crossing from east to west on the southern arm of the junction.
Better pedestrian crossing facilities north and south on Oldham Road at the junction with Wood St and the Retail Park. With new crossing facilities east and west between the Retail Park and Wood Street. Tactile blister paving at access points to all the push button-controlled crossings.
Side roads will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.
Better bus stops that are more accessible, easier to use and nicer places to wait at Milnrow Road (northbound and southbound) and High Level Road northbound. A cycle track separate from motor vehicles, will go behind the bus stop platform. Pedestrian zebra crossings will be provided to access the bus stops.
Removal of the existing bus stop and steps located at High Level Road southbound (bus stop to be moved further south to Ainsworth Street, refer to map 2 for details).

Map outline showing proposed improvements on the A671 Oldham Road between High Level Road and Fishwick Street. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text.

The proposed changes on A671 Oldham Road between High Level Road and Fishwick Street include:

Cycle lanes separated from motor vehicles in both directions with cycle priority across side roads.
Removal of steps on the east side of the road between the railway bridge and Ainsworth Street.
Existing informal crossing point, island and tactile paving currently located between Lincoln Close and Fishwick Street to be relocated south of Fishwick Street.
Southbound bus stops (High Level Road and Ainsworth Street) to be removed, with a new combined bus stop at the existing entrance to Ainsworth Street that is more accessible, easier to use and a nicer place to be.
Introduction of greenery at Ainsworth Street.
Improved northbound bus stop (Ainsworth Street). A cycle track separate from motor vehicles, will go behind the bus stop platform. Pedestrian zebra crossings will be provided to access the bus stops.
Access to vehicles will be closed off at Ainsworth Street at the junction of Oldham Road.
Side roads will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.

Map outline showing proposed improvements on the A671 Oldham Road junction with Durham Street/Crawford Street. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text.

The proposed changes on A671 Oldham Road at the Durham Street/Crawford Street/ Oldham Road Junction include:

Cycle lanes separated from motor vehicles in both directions with cycle priority across side roads.
Improved bus stops with a cycle track separate from motor vehicles behind the bus stop platform. Pedestrian zebra crossings will be provided to access the bus stops.
Improved cycle and pedestrian crossings with tactile blister paving at access points to all the push button-controlled crossings.
Side roads will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.
Introduction of greenery and improved street drainage adjacent to Vincent Street/Bright Street.
Removal of guardrails at the junction and adjacent to the canal bridge.

Map outline showing proposed improvements on the A671 Oldham Road at Fletcher Street/Royds Street West. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text .

The proposed changes on A671 Oldham Road at Fletcher Street/Royds Street West include:

Cycle lanes separated from motor vehicles in both directions with cycle priority across side roads.
Planting with bollards or other feature outside 293 Oldham Road to prevent pavement parking.
Removal of tree and tree stump outside Wellfield Health Centre and Pharmacy, adjacent to the bus stop. Replacement trees will be planted elsewhere on the corridor in Rochdale.
Improved bus stops with a cycle track separate from motor vehicles behind the bus stop platform. Pedestrian zebra crossings will be provided to access the bus stops.
Introduction of one-way street at Canal Street through to Hurst Street, from its junction with Oldham Road. With removal of parking for approximately room for eight cars on Hurst Street.
Side roads will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.
Removal of approximately room for two cars outside the shops between Royds Street West and Prince Street, one space to be replaced with cycle parking. Cycle track continues along this section of road between the car parking spaces and the pavement.
Removal of approximately room for one car between 341 and 351 Oldham Road. Cycle track continues along this section of road between the car parking spaces and the pavement.

Map outline showing proposed improvements on the A671 Oldham Road at Healing Street. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text.

The proposed changes on A671 Oldham Road at Healing Street include:

Cycle track separate from motor vehicles from Gordon St (north) and to Healing St (south).
Improved cycle and pedestrian crossing at Healing Street with tactile blister paving at access points to the push button-controlled crossing.
Improved bus stops with a cycle track separate from motor vehicles behind the bus stop platform. Pedestrian zebra crossings will be provided to access the bus stops.
Side roads will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.
A ‘Quiet route’ for cyclists on Gordon St/Hurst St (north) and Healing St (south), is proposed to Kingsway/Queensway and continuing on Platting Lane to the south. Further details in Map 9. A quiet route is a road with low amounts of traffic and low traffic speeds where cyclists can safely share the road with motor vehicles.

Map outline showing proposed improvements on the A671 Oldham Road at the Kingsway/Queensway junction. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text.

The proposed changes on A671 Oldham Road at the Kingsway/ Queensway Junction include:

Improved road design, at Kingsway/Queensway gyratory, with better placed stop lines, pedestrian islands, and signal timings to help northbound and southbound buses get through the junction quicker and to facilitate improved pedestrian crossings.
Better pedestrian facilities, at Kingsway/Queensway gyratory, to provide a simpler and quicker route across the junction with tactile blister paving at access points to all the push button-controlled crossings.
New cycle crossings separate from motor vehicles, at Kingsway/Queensway gyratory, to link into a cycle route to Rochdale Town Centre northbound, and to Balderstone Park southbound.
Shared space facilities to allow cyclists arriving at the junction from the east or west to access the north-south cycle crossings. Shared space will be marked with corduroy tactile paving and signs.
Removal of some planting in the central island of the gyratory, and addition of planting to the north and south of the junction (e.g. near William Henry Street).
Removal of approximately room for five cars on the west side of William Henry Street and approximately six cars between Queensway/Schofield Street junction and Well I’ Th’ Lane, with access to alley closed off from Schofield Street.
Removal of approximately room for two cars at the north of Watkin Street at its junction with Kingsway, and approximately one car outside the shops between 413 to 435 Oldham Road.
Platting Lane to be one way, in only, from Well I’ Th’ Lane and Kingsway/Queensway.
Side roads will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.

Map outline showing proposed improvements on the A671 Oldham Road between Charter Street and Charlotte Street. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text .

The proposed changes on A671 Oldham Road between Charter Street and Charlotte Street include:

A new northbound bus lane from Queen Victoria St to the south of the junction (opposite Charter St) to help buses get to the front of the traffic queue.
Existing pedestrian crossing outside 308 Oldham Road to be relocated between Queen Victoria Street and Charlotte Street to provide better pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities which links into a cycle route to Rochdale Town Centre northbound, and to Balderstone Park southbound. Tactile blister paving will be provided at access points to the push button-controlled crossing.
Northbound bus stop at Charter St to be relocated outside 256 Oldham Road, and northbound bus stop at Charlotte St to be relocated opposite 529/531 Oldham Road.
New southbound bus stop at Charlotte St.
Side roads will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.

Map outline showing proposed improvements on the A671 Oldham Road/Broad Lane Junction. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text.

The proposed changes at junction of A671 Oldham Road and Broad Lane include:

Addition of pedestrian crossings on all sides of the junction (across Oldham Road both on the north and south sides of Broad Lane, and across Broad Lane itself) with tactile blister paving at access points to all the push button-controlled crossings.
Extending parking restrictions on the east side of the junction outside 611 and 613 Oldham Road to improve safety and enable southbound traffic to pass through the junction without obstruction.
Side road, between 2 and 4 Broad Lane, will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.
Keep clear markings opposite entrance to driveway of 324 Oldham Rd to avoid cars waiting to turn into the driveway from blocking the junction.
Introduction of greenery and improved street drainage to replace existing grass verges outside 623 to 641 Oldham Rd.

Map outline showing proposed improvements off the A671 Oldham Road from Gordon St/Hurst St (northbound) and Healing St (southbound) through Kingsway/Queensway, Platting Lane to Balderstones Park. Improvements proposed are explained in accompanying text.

The proposed quiet route on Gordon St/Hurst St (northbound) and Healing St (southbound) through Kingsway/Queensway, Platting Lane to Balderstones Park includes:

Quiet Route along Gordon St/Hurst St (northbound) and Healing St (southbound) linking to fully segregated cycle crossing over Kingsway/Queensway, continuing back to a Quiet Route on Platting Lane. A quiet route is a road with low amounts of traffic and low traffic speeds where cyclists can safely share the road with motor vehicles.
Re-surfaced cycle route to provide smooth path through cobbles on Gordon St and Hurst St.
A new cycle link between Albany Street and William Henry Street with improved greening and improved street drainage.
Cycle crossing, separate from motor vehicles, provided across Kingsway/Queensway. For full details see map 6.
Platting Lane to be one way, in only, from Well I’ Th’ Lane and Kingsway/Queensway. It will not be possible to exit on to Kingsway/Queensway from Platting Lane. Introduction of a 20mph limit on Platting Lane.
Removal of parking, on both sides of the lane, between Brow Street and the gated entrance to Dunphy Construction on Platting Lane to accommodate a segregated cycle track.
Introduction of a raised table at the junctions of Chapel St, Field Street and Queen Victoria Street with Platting Lane.
Side roads will be improved by raising a section of the road to the level of the footway. This design makes it clearer pedestrians have priority, encouraging drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to cross. Tactile paving will be installed to alert pedestrians with visual impairments to the crossing point.
Introduction of a bench, greenery and improved street drainage adjacent to the War Memorial. With planters to replace existing guardrail.

Visualisations of the proposals for Rochdale

View of Oldham Road Rochdale

view of Oldham Road Rochdale

Oldham Rd/Charter St bus lane

View of Oldham Road Rochdale

Previous engagement

From 11 October until 13 December 2021, we asked Greater Manchester residents and stakeholders what they wanted most from their public transport network.

We received 4,125 survey responses and had conversations with 971 people at public drop-in sessions and workshops. Hundreds of respondents were from Rochdale, Oldham, and Tameside and public drop-in sessions took place at Rochdale Interchange, Oldham Bus Station, and Ashton Interchange.

82% of respondents to the survey highlighted service reliability as a priority for their public transport network. The importance of reliability and services between town centres were regularly raised in our conversations and in survey responses.

We believe that improvements on roads to help buses travel more easily can lead to shorter bus journey times and the more reliable services that people in Greater Manchester want from their public transport network.

In Spring 2023, we asked people how they travel between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham and Ashton, what issues they faced, and what they would like to see improved to help them travel by bus, cycle, walking and wheeling more. The results have influenced the proposals to improve journeys between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham, and Ashton.

331 people in total responded to the survey.
87% of respondents were residents of Rochdale, Oldham or Tameside.
35% of respondents travelled to or between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham, or Ashton town centres daily, 37% at least once a week, and 21% between once a week and once a month.
65% of respondents had travelled the route in the past for shopping, 50% for recreation or leisure, and 44% commuting to a regular place of work.

Most people told us that they would like to see bus services in the area improved, and safer cycling routes to be created. The table below summarises some key points of feedback and how we are responding in our proposals.

You said, we did

A quicker and more reliable service

You said:

73% of respondents that use the bus to travel between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham and Ashton want to see the reliability of services improved and 27% wanted to see the speed of bus journeys improved.
55% of respondents that do not currently use the bus feel they would be able to if services were more reliable; and 27% if speed of services was improved.

We did:

We are proposing a northbound bus lane on Oldham Road on the approach to the junction with Kingsway/Queensway to help the bus get to the front of the traffic queue and are looking at options to improve bus reliability through Oldham Town Centre.
We are also proposing measures to improve bus journey times in Oldham and Tameside such as new and extended bus lanes and a bus only section in Oldham Town Centre.
We will improve traffic signals at junctions to provide better journeys for all road users, including bus passengers, and to give late running buses priority.

Better information for customers

You said:

Nearly a third (29%) of respondents travelling by bus on this route requested improved customer information on buses and at bus stops and 21% of those not travelling by bus felt this would enable them to use the bus.

We did:

We are proposing to have real time information on key bus stops along the route.
As part of the delivery of the Bee Network we are aiming to provide real time information with audio visual announcements on all our buses by 2026.

Better bus stops

You said:

23% of bus users said that they would like to see more safety infrastructure, such as CCTV and lighting, at bus stops; and 19% of people that don’t use the bus said that
these measures would help them use the bus.

We did:

We are planning to improve bus stops along the Rochdale Oldham Ashton corridor to make them safer and more accessible by widening pavements, raising kerbs, adding seating and improving lighting.

Better walking, cycling and wheeling routes

You said:

The most important factors that people who walk, cycle or wheel between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham and Ashton want to see improved are road crossing facilities (32%), and cycle lanes segregated from motorists (21%).
Those that do not currently walk, cycle or wheel, also felt that better road crossing facilities (32%) and cycle lanes segregated from motorists (30%) would enable them to walk, cycle or wheel more.

We did:

We are proposing better cycling routes from Balderstone Park to Baron St in Rochdale Town Centre, and improved crossing facilities along the route.
We are also proposing cycle lanes in Oldham Town Centre and in Tameside to access the Sustrans route along the disused railway track between Tameside and Oldham.

From 15 December 2023 to 4 February 2024 we engaged on the outline proposals for the Rochdale section of the route through an online and paper survey and at two drop-in sessions.

__You said: __

On adjacent roads to the 409 bus route there is existing rat-running and that where quiet routes are being proposed it would make it worse.

We did:

We are proposing to make a short section of Platting Lane one way, in only, at the junction from Well I’ Th’ Lane and Kingsway/Queensway. We are also proposing raising sections of the road to the level of the footway at junctions. This design encourages drivers to slow down and give way, as well as making it easier to walk and wheel.

You said:

People raised concerns around the removal of parking and access to businesses along the corridor.

We did:

Parking is already quite restricted along the route. We are retaining parking provision outside shop frontages where it already exists. Minor changes are being made to the length of parking space available. There are also some small sections where parking removal is proposed to facilitate the Quiet Route. Where existing parking restrictions are in place we will not be changing the hours that they are in effect. Please refer to individual maps for further detail.

You said:

Introducing a right turn lane from Oldham Road to Broad Lane would reduce the highway space increasing congestion and journey times.

We did:

We’ve revisited our designs and removed the proposed right turn lane from Oldham Road to Broad Lane. The Broad Lane junction will be upgraded to improve the roads for everyone, including drivers, by speeding up journey times.

You said:

You would like to retain access to the hairdresser’s car park via Oldham Road, south of the Oldham Road/Broad Lane junction.

We did:

We’ve revisited our designs and have provided keep clear markings on the highway to prevent people turning right into the car park from blocking the junction.

You said:

Narrowing of the carriageway to provide bus and cycle lanes would increase journey times and congestion.

We did:

We’ve designed improvements to improve public transport links and walking, wheeling and cycling routes and this will improve the roads for everyone, including drivers, by reducing congestion and speeding up journey times. All our proposals are ensuring that road lanes are designed to standard widths suitable for all vehicles, including buses.

What else we’re doing in Rochdale

Several completed and developing schemes will connect with this scheme locally within Rochdale, and interconnect with wider regional schemes.

Castleton phase one: A route linking Castleton to Rochdale and providing major improvements for those making active travel journeys in Castleton local centre.

Castleton phase two: A high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling route along Manchester Road from the junction with Dane Street and the Esplanade to the Royal Toby Hotel at the northern end of Castleton Phase 1, connecting to Rochdale Town Centre.

We are working with the local community, designers and engineers to develop a range of projects to be delivered over the next few years:

Improving journeys – Bury Rochdale: The scheme will ensure accessible bus stops and improve journeys throughout this section of the 471 route, whilst also upgrading or installing new traffic signals and pedestrian crossings to key parts of the A58. Key upgrades and changes within the Rochdale area will be focussed in Heywood town centre. Following two waves of public engagement in 2024 and 2025 respectively, the business case and designs are currently progressing.
Station Square: An enhanced gateway into the town with improved interchange between bus, tram and train. It will encourage investment in the station area, and support the wider regeneration strategy of the town and borough.
Rochdale Travel Hub: The Rochdale Travel Hub sits alongside the Rochdale Station Gateway. The scheme proposes new housing and business space, alongside a 500-space park and ride facility on Miall Street. Including transport & cycling & walking improvements.