Northern Gateway Western Access Transportation Scheme (Pilsworth Road Corridor) consultation

The Northern Gateway Western Access Scheme (NGWA) will deliver approximately 2.5km of transport improvements along the Pilsworth Road corridor, including at M66 Junction 3. The scheme is essential to enabling the initial phases of the Northern Gateway development site which is part of the broader Atom Valley growth area. Northern Gateway will drive transformational change across Greater Manchester by creating more jobs, supporting inclusive growth and maximising advanced materials and manufacturing sectors.

The scheme is necessary as the Pilsworth Road corridor is often congested and does not have enough capacity to support the additional traffic expected from the initial phases of development at Northern Gateway. Furthermore, the existing pedestrian and cycling crossing points along Pilsworth Road require improvements and the current active travel facilities do not meet the national design or inclusive mobility guidance.

The Northern Gateway Western Access (NGWA) scheme will improve access to:

• Enable the initial phases of the Northern Gateway development.
• Provide safer, more affordable and sustainable connections for communities in Bury and Rochdale.
• Deliver improved walking, wheeling, cycling and bus stop infrastructure.
• Provide alternatives to car travel and help manage additional traffic from future development.
• Support passenger transport improvements and connectivity.

This will contribute to: 

• Enabling up to 1.2 million m² of industrial and manufacturing floorspace, 19,600 jobs, 1,400 homes and approximately £1 billion in annual Gross Value Added (GVA) for Greater Manchester
• Support further business investment and economic growth.

It is funded through Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Investment Zone funding and GMCA Good Growth funding.

Upon completion, the scheme will improve capacity and safety on the local road network and at M66 Junction 3 through:

• Junction improvements
• Road widening
• Traffic signal upgrades
• Enhanced signs and road markings
• Better drainage to reduce the risk of flooding.

The scheme provides infrastructure and crossing improvements for walking, wheeling, and cycling including:

• Enhanced footway and cycle infrastructure,
• Upgrades to side road crossings,
• Signalised pedestrian and cycle crossings.

Construction is currently planned to begin in late summer/autumn 2028 and be completed in summer 2030.

A Construction Management Plan will be put in place before construction starts to minimise disruption to residents, businesses, and existing road users during construction where possible. This Plan continues to be developed and will consider:

• Working hours and any requirements for night-time and weekend working
• Traffic routing for construction vehicles
• Details on phased working requirements and site accesses
• Noise and dust control
• Communication with local residents, including advance communication where work might affect local journeys or accesses.

Access to homes and businesses will be maintained, and disruptive activities will be planned to avoid the busiest periods. Access might be affected during some of the work - however traffic arrangements will be regularly reviewed as the works progress, with advance communication provided where changes may affect journeys or local access.

Detailed traffic management arrangements will continue to be developed prior to construction and any residents or businesses who might be affected will be communicated with well in advance.

Wherever possible, existing footpaths and walking and cycling routes will remain open during construction. Where a temporary closure or diversion is necessary to carry out the works safely, a suitable alternative route will be provided and clearly signed. We will plan the works to minimise disruption and maintain safe access for pedestrians and cyclists throughout construction. Information about any temporary changes to routes will be communicated in advance where possible.

You can complete the online survey on our website, which will be live from 6 November 2026 – 18 December 2026. You can also contact us by email: sm-gb-ngwaconsultationmailbox@sweco.co.uk

If you wish to submit a response to the consultation via post, please address your letter to:

Major Projects – Regeneration Delivery

Bury Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0SW

or come along to one of the engagement sessions listed above.

Feedback received during the consultation will be carefully considered to inform the development of the scheme. The findings will be published after the consultation has closed.

Further public consultations on the NGWA scheme will take place during 2027, prior to construction works starting.