Highways England has confirmed its preferred route for the development of the A57 Mottram bypass that will help reduce traffic congestion and enhance road safety in the UK.

The bypass development project is part of a £242m enhancement programme designed to help people travel along the important Manchester to Sheffield Trans-Pennine route.

In addition, the company will provide enhancements at Westwood roundabout at Tankersley in South Yorkshire, which connects the A61 and A616.

Highways England will also carry out additional work to refine options for the dualling of the A61 between Westwood roundabout and the M1.

“Most people felt these improvements struck a good balance in terms of convenience for drivers, reduced impact on local communities and improved safety.”

Highways England North West Regional delivery director Tim Gamon said: “More than 1,000 people attended the public information events we held on both sides of the Pennines earlier this year and almost 900 people responded to the consultation – with half backing the option selected for a new link from the M67 terminal roundabout to a new junction at A57(T) Mottram Moor – near Back Moor – and a link from there to a new junction on the A57 at Brookfield.

“Most people felt these improvements struck a good balance in terms of convenience for drivers, reduced impact on local communities and improved safety.

“So we will present them in a statutory consultation next year with a plan to starting construction in early 2020.”

All the road upgrade projects were part of a consultation that was held earlier this year.

Following the consultation, the company is also considering plans for the development of climbing lanes on the A628.