Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester engaged and consulted on outline proposals and then detailed proposals for the Royton section of the route from 26 February to 24 March 2024 and then from 17 February to 31 March 2025.
During these two engagement and consultation periods, a combined 546 responses were received to two surveys and 176 people attended in-person drop-in sessions with staff in Royton town centre.
We appreciate people taking the time to feedback on the proposals. We know residents care deeply about Royton town centre and understand the community has a variety of views on different aspects of the project.
A range of views were received during the engagement and consultation. Some respondents supported the key project benefit – to improve journeys times along the Rochdale – Royton – Oldham – Ashton route and were in favour of proposed improvements to cycling, walking, wheeling, and public realm facilities around Royton. However, some also expressed concerns about specific aspects of the project and wanted to see changes made to the proposals.
Some of the key feedback received across the engagement and consultation, and what Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester have done in response, can be found below.
You said:
The removal of the existing railings in Royton town centre could create a less safe environment for pedestrians.
We did:
In designing any scheme, safety is always of the utmost importance, including this one. The initial proposals included the removal of all the existing railings in Royton town centre. Following engagement, consultation, and further discussions with senior stakeholders, the final plans will instead retain the railings in the areas recommended by a coroner after past fatalities.
This will help make sure pedestrians are safe in places where they are most likely to be near traffic, to guide people to the correct crossings, and to discourage diagonal crossing at the main junction. We’ve also added clear pedestrian priority zones to help keep people safe. At other locations bollards would replace railings and this will be supported by landscaping at the kerbside in Royton town centre, which will create natural barriers between the pavement and the road.
Oldham Council developed the designs to follow the relevant local and national guidance and the designs have been reviewed by independent road safety experts. Evidence from previous studies has also indicated that removing railings in certain places can encourage motorists to reduce their speed, making the highways safer for people walking, wheeling, and cycling, as well as improving the public environment. It can also help reduce the risk of cyclists and pedestrians getting caught on the wrong side of a railing next to traffic.
Other areas in Greater Manchester have removed sections of railings as part of wider highway schemes and seen positive change. An example of this was implemented in Pendleton town centre in 2020, which has seen no collisions involving pedestrians in locations where the railings were removed.
You said:
Some people raised concerns about whether they would still be able to turn right from High Barn Street on to Rochdale Road.
We did:
You will still be able to turn right from High Barn Street on to Rochdale Road. However, the dedicated right turn lane at this junction will be removed, allowing pedestrians to cross the road more quickly and improve safety. The traffic lights at this junction will be retimed, enabling longer green times on the junction approaches, which will in turn improve traffic flow for all road users.
You said:
Reliability of bus services is a necessary improvement for both bus users and non-bus users to make more bus journeys.
We did:
Brought bus services back under control, including the 409 service which serves along the entire Rochdale-Oldham-Ashton corridor. This bus service is the most used Bee Network service in Tranche 2 and has improved reliability since launching 24 March 2024.
In Royton, we’ve designed improvements to the High Barn St/Middleton Road junction with the 409 route to improve junction performance and reliability of journeys.
You said:
New verge planting along the pavement is too much clutter and may make the pavement less navigable.
We did:
Revisited our designs to ensure the pavement is a suitable width for pedestrians. We have included landscaping and new bench seating away from the road for an improved experience of visiting Royton.
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You said:
Better shelters at bus stops would improve your bus experience in the town centres.
We did:
Include upgraded bus stops with raised platforms for step free access when boarding the bus and new bus shelters in our design proposals. Reinforcing our commitment to a fully accessible network and improving your overall journey experience – on and off the bus.
You said:
Concerns were raised around the volume of traffic turning right from High Barn Street onto Rochdale Road in Royton Town Centre.
We did:
We have carried out automated traffic flow counts at this junction and adjusted traffic light signal timings to allow traffic to flow more freely through this junction.
