A main route in Oldham will be disrupted for six months to create a new access route for a secondary school.
Huddersfield Road is set to benefit from a huge cash boost, to create a direct route to the new Saddleworth School, set to open for pupils in March 2022.
The huge job will see diversions put in place for six months, with the road set to reopen fully in winter.
Until then, a one-way system will be in place, with traffic limited to 30mph on both the A62 Huddersfield Road and A62 Standedge Cutting.
Drivers trying to head north on Huddersfield Road will need to use Standedge Road, before joining the A62.
Traffic in the loop will then turn right onto Huddersfield Road, heading eastbound before turning south onto Huddersfield Road.
Spurn Lane will become an access-only route to protect residents from “rat running”.
Resurfacing of the diversion routes will be done before the main work begins, to improve the surface of the route.
(Image: Oldham Council)
A three-tonne weight restriction will be temporarily lifted to let larger vehicles use Huddersfield Road as part of the diversion.
An Oldham Council spokesperson said: “We know these works are going to have a big impact on Diggle and we have developed a traffic management scheme which allows traffic to flow as much as possible.
“Contractors will aim to minimise disruption as much as possible, but due to the scale of the works, this is unfortunately unavoidable, so please plan your journeys in advance.
“These works are essential in bringing us one step closer to delivering the brand-new Saddleworth School which will provide our young people with the much-needed, modern, learning environment they deserve.”
The council are working with waste management services to make sure bin collections carry on as usual, and pedestrians, bikes, and emergency vehicles will be able to access the road throughout the work.
Alongside the new route, the works will add new parking areas, including spots for residents, along with new traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
Improvements to the paths, landscaping, and boundary walls along the road will also be carried out.
Work is due to begin on Monday, April 19, and diversions will remain in place for around six months.
Visit the council website for updates about the project, or email saddleworth.school@oldham.gov.uk with any questions or queries.
