Oldham leads region for disruption on key routes
Oldham is dealing with the highest number of roadworks on A and B roads anywhere in Greater Manchester, with motorists advised to allow extra time and check live travel information before setting off. The update, issued today, covers works that may slow journeys on principal corridors and local distributor roads across the city-region and highlights Oldham as the area most affected at present.
Roadworks are underway for a variety of reasons — from emergency repairs and routine maintenance to essential activity by utility companies. While much of this work is unavoidable, it can create knock-on effects felt across neighbourhoods and high streets. A recent parliamentary scrutiny of highways disruption underscored the wider impact on day-to-day life and local economies.
“They can also be a source of frustration for anyone trying to get around on roads and pavements by causing congestion and delays that harm the economy, disrupt transport services and limit access to high streets and businesses.”
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is signposting drivers to its live information pages, where schemes are updated as they progress. The advice is simple but practical: check before you travel, consider alternatives and allow time for diversions. That guidance is particularly pertinent in Oldham, where activity on key A and B routes is currently more extensive than in other districts.
Why this matters for Oldham
Delays on principal roads ripple through the daily routines of residents and businesses. Longer commutes can affect shift start times at workplaces and hospitals, delivery schedules for small firms and attendance at health and school appointments. For town-centre traders, even short-term congestion can dent passing trade during peak shopping hours. Given Oldham’s position between Manchester, Rochdale and Tameside, disruption here can also complicate cross-boundary journeys, especially for those who commute across the city-region for work or caring responsibilities.
Emergency works — such as water main or gas main repairs — are by nature unpredictable. When they coincide with planned maintenance or utility upgrades, pinch points can form quickly. This is why TfGM’s live feeds, local signage and temporary traffic management, including temporary traffic lights and short-term closures, are central to keeping traffic moving as safely as possible.
Plan ahead: what drivers can do
- Check TfGM’s live roadworks and travel updates before you leave to see current restrictions and timings.
- Allow additional time for your journey, particularly during the morning and evening peaks.
- Consider alternative routes or modes where practical, including local public transport for shorter trips.
- Look out for on-street signage and follow diversions and temporary signals carefully.
Residents who rely on regular appointments — from GP visits to school drop-offs — may wish to build in a margin for delays this week. Businesses that schedule deliveries or collections on tight timetables could also benefit from staggering times or notifying customers of potential slippage while the busiest works are underway.
Where to find accurate, up-to-date information
Because schemes can start or finish at short notice, the most reliable source for current restrictions is TfGM’s website, which compiles information from local highways teams and utilities. Live travel tools also flag closures, lane reductions and signal-controlled sections as they are introduced. If you rely on specific junctions or corridors, it’s worth bookmarking the page and checking it on the day of travel.
| Area | Current position on A/B roadworks |
|---|---|
| Oldham | Highest number of active works on key A and B roads in Greater Manchester |
| Other GM districts | Ongoing schemes and some emergency repairs; fewer than Oldham at present |
Roadworks are essential to keep infrastructure safe and reliable. But where several schemes overlap, careful journey planning becomes more than a nice-to-have — it is the difference between arriving on time and missing a slot. With Oldham currently carrying the heaviest programme on key routes, a quick check before you travel could save a long wait at the lights.
Drivers can find the full, regularly updated list of A and B roadworks across Greater Manchester via Transport for Greater Manchester’s online roadworks pages. For those without internet access, local radio and roadside information boards remain useful guides to what is happening on the ground.
