First phase of Trans-Pennine highways project to begin

A scheme designed to improve connectivity between the east and west of the country will start next month.

In March Highways England will begin work to improve the flow of traffic and increase capacity at the Westwood roundabout in Tankersley.

This is the first phase of the Trans-Pennine Upgrade project which will improve journey times between Sheffield and Manchester.

A Highways England spokesman explained: “During rush hour Westwood roundabout can become heavily congested and to combat this Highways England will be widening the slip roads and adding an extra lane on the roundabout to increase capacity.

“Traffic lights will also be installed on all the approaches apart from Maple Road, this will help reduce congestion and make journeys more reliable.

“New road sign technology will also be installed as part of the scheme along the A628 (Woodhead Pass) to provide road-users with early warning of closures due to bad weather or other incidents.”

Highways England project manager Khalid El-Rayes said: “By carrying out these improvements we will ease congestion through this important roundabout and increase the capacity for the future.

“The new technology we are installing will provide better information for drivers. We want to thank drivers for their patience while we carry out this work and encourage people who want to know more to come and talk to me and my team at our public events.”

Work on the roundabout is due to start in March 2020 and all the work including the new road sign technology is expected to be complete by March 2021.

Subject to planning approval from the Secretary of State, the remaining two phases of the Trans-Pennine Upgrade will start in 2021/22, which will see improvements made at key points on the A57 and M67.