Mottram set to get long awaited 'Boris' bypass to ease years of traffic misery

Robert Largan MP meeting with Highways England (pre-lockdown) to discuss the bypass

The High Peak’s MP Robert Largan asked Mr Johnson during Prime Ministers Questions to commit to a major infrastructure package in response to the ‘economic impact’ of the Coronavirus crisis.

Mr Johnson said the Government was ‘indeed committed’ to the bypass project which Mr Largan quipped Mr Johnson could call the ‘Boris’ Bypass.’

On its website, Highways England states construction of the scheme to alleviate traffic congestion on the route between Sheffield and Manchester will start in the winter, 21/22.

It is part of the £242 million Trans-Pennine upgrade programme, which includes a new dual carriageway created from the M67 junction 4 roundabout to a new junction on the A57(T) at Mottram Moor.

A single carriageway would also be built connecting to the A6018 Roe Cross Road and a new single carriageway linking the the A57(T) at Mottram Moor to a new junction on the A57 at Woolley Bridge.

In the Budget the Chancellor pledged £640 billion of public investment by 2024/25 to ‘level up’ the country.

Mr Largan said: “Owing to Covid, we are facing a unique economic challenge. I urge the Prime Minister to respond with a major package of infrastructure investment to create jobs and level up the whole country.”

He highlighted three key areas for investment, “turbocharging the roll out of gigabit broadband, upgrading the Hope Valley railway line between Manchester and Sheffield and building the full Mottram bypass.”

“The people of Glossop have been promised this by politicians for over 50 years. W’ll even let him call it the ‘Boris bypass’ – let’s please just get it built,” he said.

The Prime Minister thanked him saying, “I can confirm briefly to my Hon. Friend that we are indeed committed under the road investment strategy published last year to building a bypass around Mottram, and I look forward to being there to see it done.”

Mr Largan added “Since being elected, I’ve put the bypass back on the agenda down in Westminster. I am pleased the Prime Minister has publicly committed to building the bypass. I will keep fighting until we get it built.

See the MP’s petition: www.robertlargan.co.uk/buildthebypass