Extension of new Queen Elizabeth II Way begins

Monday, 19 June 2023 15:40

By David Murphy

Councillor Neil Emmott (centre), Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, with fellow councillors (L-R), Peter Hodgkinson, Carol Wardle, Susan Emmott and Peter Rush

Work to extend the multi-million pound link road which connects junction 19 of the M62 to the South Heywood Distribution Park started this week.

The project to create a link road from junction 19 of the M62 was completed in November last year, opening up direct M62 access to the key employment site in the area for the first time. The road was named Queen Elizabeth II Way in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II who died shortly after the road’s unveiling. As well creating easier access to strategic employment sites in South Heywood, it has also helped reroute HGV traffic away from Heywood town centre and Birch village. Now, work is under way to extend the highway along a 650-metre stretch of Pilsworth Road down to its junction with Moss Hall Road. The project will involve widening of the road and full resurfacing. The existing footpath on the north side will be reconstructed and widened, while a new three metre wide shared walking and cycling footpath will be created on the south side of the road for the first time. New street lighting and improved drainage will also be created as part of the works being carried out by Greater Manchester based company, George Cox and Sons. Councillor Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The new Queen Elizabeth II Way represents a significant investment into Heywood and is helping to support the many thriving businesses in this part of the borough. “This extension will allow us to further realise the potential of this crucial site and I’m really pleased to see it getting under way.” A one-way system from Moss Hall Road to the South Heywood Distribution Park will be in place, alongside a 20mph speed limit, for the duration of the work, and a fully signed diversion route is in place. The work is due for completion in spring 2024.