Consultation key for sensitive road scheme

Hyder is working with Carillion for the Highways Agency to deliver the Early Contractor Involvement Contract for the A57/A628 Mottram Tintwistle Bypass between Manchester and Sheffield.
 
The bypass is technically challenging, as it is  sited on sloping hillsides above villages screened by landscaped mounds, and required treatment of weak ground.  It includes a 200m tunnel below Mottram and three viaducts across deep, incised valleys at Thorncliffe, Swallows Wood and Arnfield.
 
Due to its uniquely sensitive location on the edge of the Peak District National Park, we recommended both route restraint measures, in the form of signalised junctions along the A628 and A616 trunk roads and pre-emptive accident remedial measures.  Collectively these will act to reduce the likelihood of significant cross Pennine traffic growth and provide safe travelling conditions given the forecast increase in traffic.
 
Our very extensive environmental statement covers the entire 30 km between Manchester and Sheffield and we have addressed air quality in the National Park through an Appropriate Assessment.  We have been responsive to landowner concerns during our development of unique Exchange Land proposals for Open Access Land and land defined under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.  We have responded to over 3,000 letters of support, representation and objection and are providing 10 expert witnesses covering engineering and environmental disciplines during the Public Inquiry.