Improving Journeys: Rochdale Consultation Survey

Overview

Through a joined-up Bee Network we’re helping more people get where they need to go with safer, easier, affordable connections by bus, tram, train, or walking, wheeling and cycling.  As part of this, we’re investing in schemes to make travel easier and to help people get from A to B.

The plans are being put in place to speed up bus journeys and reduce delays for all road users including motorists by easing congestion, improve bus stops so they are fully accessible, comfortable, safe and secure and improve journeys by walking, wheeling and cycling by making them as safe as possible.  

Rochdale Council, Oldham Council, Tameside Council, and Transport for Greater Manchester are currently developing plans to improve journeys for people catching the bus, walking, wheeling or cycling between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham and Ashton town centres.

The work is focusing on the main corridor between Rochdale, Royton, Oldham and Ashton town centres (A627 and A621), used by the 409 bus service – one of the busiest bus routes in Greater Manchester – and will take place between now and 2027. Improving this key route will help the local economy to keep growing and help local communities to thrive.

 Proposals include:  

• Major investment to improve junctions, lane layouts, bus stops, signal timings, public spaces and passenger access to the bus network. 
• Improvements to local walking, wheeling and cycling routes. 

The scheme is being delivered to: 

• Improve the speed, journey time, performance, and reliability of bus services for passengers between the towns on the A671 and A627. 
• Improve the quality of bus stops, making sure they are comfortable, safe, secure, more accessible, and able to provide accurate travel information. 
• Make journeys to and from bus stops easier. 
• Improve the links between bus stops and tram stops and rail stations. 
• Improve local walking, cycling, and wheeling routes, and public spaces.   
• Increase the number of bus, walking, wheeling, and cycling journeys along the route. 
• Help the economy grow, improve areas, create job opportunities, and increase the number of people visiting town centres and high streets along the route. 

The proposals can be divided into four main geographical sections: 

• Royton
• Oldham
• Rochdale
• Ashton

This survey begins with questions about your interest in the survey, how often you travel, and your mode of transportation. It then presents 9 maps which show the proposals for Rochdale alongside text descriptions of those same proposals. After each map and text description, there is a question on how the proposals might impact you. Finally, there is a series of demographic questions. All questions are optional. 

Further information on how we will use the responses you provide is available at https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/information-data-governance/privacy-notices

Why your views matter

We are currently consulting on the detailed proposals for the Rochdale section of the route. This follows on from previous engagement on outline proposals for Rochdale in December 2023 to February 2024.

We want to hear your feedback on the detailed proposals to improve journeys in Rochdale because we know the most successful schemes are informed by local people, businesses, and road users.