Tom Levitt has declared himself ‘delighted’ that an amended plan for the Longdendale bypass has been adopted by AGMA (the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities). By designating the reduced scheme as a local authority plan, rather than a national one, the High Peak MP believes that construction can begin within months.

“This will relieve congestion in Glossop and Tintwistle and bring jobs and prosperity to our area,” he says. “I have been working closely with Tameside Council in the weeks since the planning enquiry collapsed. I pay tribute to the commitment and determination that Cllr Roy Oldham and his team have shown. Glossopdale, Hollingworth and Mottram will all be able to breathe cleaner air in future.”

To reduce costs, the most controversial and costly element of the original scheme – to the north of Tintwistle – has been dropped. The two remaining elements, the Glossop Spur (from Brookfield to Mottram Moor) and the dual carriageway from Mottram Moor to the motorway have been retained. As a result, the vast majority of the new road will be within Tameside boundaries, which is why the Council there is now taking the lead.

As the plan follows part of the original route the missing element, which was opposed by the Peak District National Park Authority and environmental campaigners, could be added at a later date.“This is a better solution than pushing for the full blown plan. It is cheaper, quicker and more cost effective. It removes most of the controversial elements whilst achieving most of what supporters have been campaigning to achieve for so long,” said Mr Levitt. In particular, the MP added, journey times in and out of Manchester will be reduced considerably and Glossop will become a more attractive place for businesses to invest.

Tameside Borough Council’s statement of today’s date follows:

Executive Council Leader Cllr Roy Oldham, said: “An AGMA meeting today has unanimously decided to support the reintroduction of the Longdendale Bypass (as amended), the Droylsden to Ashton Metrolink and the Ashton Northern Bypass. The decision will now be sent to the North West Region for formal approval.

“I wish to thank my colleagues from each of the other nine councils, Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Labour leaders for their endorsement of the proposals.

“This means not only the infrastructure moves into reality but with it across the sub region, thousands of construction jobs which can obviously feed into our Tameside Works First project.

“Tameside will now move into an accelerated set of necessary procedures to bring the infrastructure into reality and create the local jobs - a win/win for all of us.”

“I would like to say a big thank you to the Secretary of State, Geoff Hoon, our three MPs James Purnell, David Heyes and Andrew Gwynne and the High Peak MP Tom Levitt for their continued support throughout this process.”