GMPTE to submit roundabout plans

10 December 2010 08:01 Comments (0)

Proposals to remodel the Manchester Street roundabout in Oldham will be submitted to Oldham Council later this month.

The changes relate to the creation of the new Oldham town centre Metrolink extension, due to open during 2014.

Developed in close consultation with Oldham Council, the new plans will see tram tracks cross the Manchester Street roundabout and then follow on to King Street, where a new Metrolink stop will be built.

Traffic lights will also be installed at the roundabout, and a new link road will be created to allow vehicles to access Oldham Way.

Philip Purdy, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive's Metrolink director, said: "The proposals have been developed with Oldham Council and will formally be submitted to the planning department in the next few weeks.

"We will be holding events next week to present the proposals and I'd encourage as many people as possible to come along and discuss them with the Metrolink team."

GMPTE said nearly 2,000 letters have been sent to residents to notify them of the plans, and an information event is being held in advance of submitting the planning application, which will be held at Oldham Sixth Form College on Monday 13 December from 4pm to 7pm.

GMPTE added, as part of the new proposals, it will also be making a further application to the Department of Transport under the Transport and Works Act (TWA) to finalise powers to operate the tram over this section of the route. GMPTE said the process will include a further period of consultation.