A61 Westwood roundabout and A628 Woodhead Pass

Latest updates

• 13 June 2023

  Technology update - next phase of work June 2023

  The next phase of work is to complete the variable message signs (VMS) and closure gates along the A628. To complete this phase, we need to implement some traffic management.

  Temporary lights will be in place between Monday 19 June until end of Tuesday 20 June to manage traffic flows.

  We are mindful that this may cause disruption to journeys and encourage drivers to allow extra time when travelling. 

  If we complete our work earlier than expected, we’ll aim to reopen the road sooner. Please note that these closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances such as poor weather conditions.

  Please see the table below for closure information:

  VMS	Location	Date and time	Closure type
  VMS03 and Woodhead Closure Gates	A628 Woodhead approach - Woodhead eastbound carriageway switching to the westbound carriageway	19/06/2023 to 20/06/2023 (9:30am to 3:30pm)	Two-way lights
  VMS09	A61 Westwood approach	19/06/2023 (12:00pm to 3:30pm)	Two-way lights

   

  Thank you for your patience while we complete this work. 

• 22 March 2023

  Daytime closures and temporary lights planned – Spring 2023

  The next phase of work is to complete the variable message signs (VMS) and closure gates along the A628. To complete this phase, we need to implement some daytime closures.

  Temporary lights will be in place between Monday 27 March until end of May 2023 to manage traffic flows.

  We are mindful that this may cause disruption to journeys and encourage drivers to allow extra time when travelling. 

  If we complete our work earlier than expected, we’ll aim to reopen the road sooner. 

  Please note that these closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances such as poor weather conditions.

  Please see the table below for closure information:

  	Location	Date and time	Closure type
  VMS03	A628 Woodhead approach - Woodhead East bound Carriageway	27/03/2023 to 30/03/2023   9:30 am to 3:30pm	Two-way lights
  VMS05 and Closure Gates	Dunford Bridge	31/03/2023   8am to 5pm	Two-way lights
  VMS05 and Closure Gates	Dunford Bridge	03/04/2023 to 05/04/2023   8am to 5pm	Two-way lights
  VMS09	A61 Westwood approach	11/04/2023 to 14/04/2023	Two-way lights
  VMS08 and VMS09	A61/A616 Westwood approach	17/04/2023 to 18/04/2023	Two-way lights
  VMS03	A628 Woodhead approach - Woodhead West bound Carriageway	17/04/2023 to 19/04/2023	Two-way lights
  VMS01*	A57 - Mottram Moor/Coach Road	24/04/2023   10am to 1pm	Lane reduction
  VMS02*	A628/Church Street - Tintwistle	24/04/2023   9:30am to 3:30pm	Two-way lights
  VMS04*	A628 - Dog and Partridge	25/04/2023   9:30am to 3:30pm	Two-way lights
  VMS06*	A628 - Flouch roundabout Westbound approach	25/04/2023   8am to 5pm	Two-way lights
  VMS05*	Dunford Bridge	25/04/2023   8am to 5pm	Two-way lights
  VMS07*	A616 - Stocksbridge East - Fox Valley	26/04/2023   9:30 am to 3:30pm	Two-way lights
  VMS08*	A616 - Westwood approach	26/04/2023   9:30 am to 3:30pm	Two-way lights
  VMS09*	A61 - Westwood approach	26/04/2023   9:30 am to 3:30pm	Two-way lights

  *where multiple closures are required between 24 April and 26 April these will be staggered throughout the day, moving location to location.

  Our operational team are also undertaking maintenance works on the A628 - Salters Brook Bridge between the period of February until April 2023 with 24/7 hour lights in place.

  We’re in regular communication with our operational colleagues to ensure efficiency of traffic flows in the area around Salters Brook to minimise commuter disruption.

  Thank you for your patience while we complete this work. 

• 22 June 2022

  Technology update

  We are in the process of delivering a technology improvement scheme on the A628 Woodhead Pass.

  The scheme will provide a series of new Variable Message Signs (VMS) on the approaches to new automated closure gates. The closure gates are at the same locations as the previous manually operated gates. 

  The aim of closure gates and VMS is to reduce the time taken to close a route in severe weather. It will also provide better information to drivers.

  The new closure gates will be operated from the side of the road. The details for opening the closure gates will only be provided to landowners, businesses and emergency services in the area.

  The scheme was started in 2020 but experienced delays to power connections that affected delivery of the scheme. We continue to work with the power companies to arrange the connections, but want to make sure we’re ready to use the gates as soon as possible once power is connected.

  We are keen to arrange training for any residents and landowners who may need to access the area inside the gates during a closure, please contact the scheme via westwoodandtechnology@nationalhighways.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 5000. 

  This work is due to be completed in 2023. This unfortunately has been delayed from our initial date in 2022, this means that any newsletters we have sent out that state a 2022 date are out of date. 

  Thank you for your patience while we complete this work. 

   

• 01 March 2021

  Westwood roundabout upgrade complete

  A major upgrade to improve the flow of traffic and increase capacity at Westwood roundabout has been completed.

  An extra lane has been added to the roundabout and some of its approaches improving journey times between Sheffield and Manchester for the thousands of drivers who use the route every day.

  

  The improvements at the busy interchange will also improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians.

  • An extra lane has been added to Westwood roundabout and some of its approaches, improving journey time reliability and reducing congestion
  • Added 39 new traffic signals to manage the peak congestion to create a free flowing network
  • Laid 9,524 square metres of resurfacing to provide drivers with smother and safer journeys
  • Installed 19 new LED lights which are more efficient, and reduce carbon
  • Improved safety with 472 metres of new/improved safety barrier and 986 metres of new kerbing
  • Added 469 metres of new drainage to keep the roads free of flood water, improving safety
  • Introduced new pedestrian crossings on the A61 exit heading north and the A616 exit heading east to improve safety

  The £18.6 million investment also includes adding technology along the A628 to improve journey time reliability and provide drivers with up to date, real-time information.

  Since October 2020 new infrastructure has been installed along the A57, A628, A61 and A616 to allow for new variable message signs to be installed. This work is due to be complete in summer.

  

• 27 January 2021

  Roundabout nearing completion

  Work to add an extra lane around Westwood roundabout is due to be complete by the end of February.

  An extra lane has been added to some of the approaches as well as the roundabout itself to help reduce congestion and improve traffic flows.

  Traffic lights will also be installed to manage peak congestion and pedestrians crossings on the A61 exit heading north and the A616 exit heading east have been added to improve safety

  As part of the improvements we’ve:

  • Installed 469 metres of new drainage
  • Installed 986 metres of new kerbing
  • Laid 9,524 square metres of resurfacing
  • Painted 1,600 metres of new white lining
  • Installed 472 metres of new/improved safety barrier
  • Installed 19 new street lights and 39 new traffic signals

  We’d like to thank everyone for their continued patience throughout the work while we carried out these vital improvements.

  You can read more updates on our scheme newsletter.

• 07 January 2021

  Overnight closures and temporary lights planned- January 2021

  There will be a series of overnight closures over the next couple of weeks to carry out work on Westwood roundabout.

  Lane 1 will be closed on the dedicated left turn approaching Stocksbridge roundabout 24/7 until Saturday 9 January to install new signage. Overnight closures will be in place on the A616 and Maple Road overnight between 8pm and 6am until Saturday 9 January.

  Next week there will also be full closures of the A616 eastern approach and A61 northern approach with lane closures on the other approaches between 8pm and 6am from Monday 11 until Saturday 16 January.

  There will be temporary traffic lights in place on the A628 westbound carriageway near to Old Road/Church Street in Tintwistle for survey work Monday 11 to Friday 15 January and on the M1 junction 35A roundabout to Westwood roundabout.

• 30 October 2020

  Public information events

  We held two public information webinars last month to talk about the planned improvements we’re making to provide drivers with real-time information which will allow them to make effective decisions about their journey.

  As part of the A61 Westwood roundabout scheme we’re improving the current closure gates and the information available to road users by installing a series of new electronic variable message signs along the A628, A616 and A61 route.

  You can find out more information about our plans in this short presentation.

• 14 October 2020

  A628 technology improvements

  We’re hosting two public information webinars in October 2020 month to talk about the scheme in more details and give you the chance to ask the team any questions you may have.

  The webinars are taking place on:

  • Wednesday 21 October noon-2pm
  • Saturday 24 October 10am-noon

  You can find out more details about what is being planned in our leaflet:

  A616/A61 Westwood roundabout and A628 technology scheme - public information booklet

  To attend the webinar please click on the links below for the event you wish to join, five minutes before it is due to start. 

  Please note you may be asked to download Microsoft Teams prior to joining the event.

  All attendees will be on mute but there is the option to post questions in the live question and answer session. This can be found on the right-hand side of the page. 

  A628 technology webinar - Wednesday 21 October noon-2pm

  A628 technology webinar - Saturday 24 October 10am-noon     

• 30 September 2020

  Overnight closures to install narrow lanes - October 2020

  We’ll have a series of closures next month to allow us to install narrow lanes.

  Maple Road in both directions will be closed Monday 5 to Friday 10 October and Monday 12 October.

  The southern side of Westwood roundabout will be closed Friday 9 October, and Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 October.

  The northern side of Westwood roundabout will be closed Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 October and Monday 19 to Thursday 22 October.

  The closures will be between 8pm and 6am. Clearly signed diversions will be in place.

• 08 September 2020

  Drainage and earthwork underway

  Narrow lanes are now in place on Westwood roundabout and work is now starting in the verges to complete drainage and earthwork. Since our last update we’ve been preparing the site for the widening which has included removing lighting columns and vegetation where necessary, we’ve reduced the inner ring of the roundabout and improved the existing footpaths.
  
  Over the next couple of months, we’ll be widening the approaches at the roundabout and installing the new traffic signals this is alongside the strengthening of Sowell Bridge which will also be taking place.
  
  We’ll also be starting work on the A628 Woodhead Pass. This will include us installing nine new electric message signs along the route in addition to the four that are already in place and upgrading the electric closure gates on Woodhead Pass and installing a new gate at Dunford Bridge. We’re looking to start this work in autumn once the remaining design work has been completed.

  View our latest newsletter.

• 30 April 2020

  Ground investigation starts

  Since our public information events back in February/March we’ve started our ground investigation work to widen the A61/A616 Westwood roundabout. This work includes establishing the extent of mine workings and ground conditions at key areas of the roundabout and will enable to us to carry out the widening work which will help reduce congestion and improve traffic flows on the roundabout.

  Once our investigations have been completed and any remedial work carried out, we’ll start work to widen the roundabout and some of the approaches. In autumn we’ll start our technology improvements along the A628. This will enable us to provide real-time information for motorists to make effective decisions about their journey.

  Our Environmental Impact Assessment has now been published and can be found in the documents section.