Highways England is developing plans for a new mile-long combined footpath and cycleway as part of a £228 million bypass to improve journeys between Manchester and Sheffield, further supporting its work in this area.

The cycle path would run alongside a new single carriageway road between Mottram Moor and Woolley Bridge, designed to separate Glossop traffic from vehicles travelling over the Pennines, along the A628 Woodhead Pass.

The plans also include better pedestrian and cyclist crossings at the M67 roundabout, and new crossings at the junctions created by the bypass.

Andy Dawson, Highways England’s project manager, said:“The new bypass will make journeys better for people travelling over the Pennines by tackling congestion, and make life better for residents in Mottram by reducing noise and improving air quality.

“We’re also really excited about being able to include the combined footpath and cycleway in our plans, which will help Mottram’s walkers and cyclists easily reach the Trans Pennine Trail. You can have your say on our proposals by taking part in our public consultation, and help make the new cycleway and bypass become a reality.”

Cyclists would then be able to join the Trans Pennine Trail at Woolley Bridge, which winds 215 miles between Southport and Hornsea. The mainly traffic-free route is part of the national cycle network, running alongside rivers and canals and through the Pennines.

A north-south cycle route connecting Leeds and Chesterfield, a spur to York and another spur to Kirkburton means there are approximately 370 miles of Trans Pennine Trail available to explore.

Mandy Loach, Trans Pennine Trail Officer, said: “We’re excited to see this proposal bring a new connection to the Trans Pennine Trail network through Mottram and expand the local sustainable transport offer.”

Mottram is on the 25-mile trans-Pennine route between Manchester and Sheffield, connecting the M67 in Greater Manchester to the M1 in South Yorkshire. Around 25,000 vehicles travel along the A57 through Mottram every day, including over 2,000 HGVs – equivalent to one lorry entering the village every 42 seconds.

The Highways England scheme also includes a new dual carriageway to the north of Mottram which will run from the roundabout at the end of the M67 (junction 4) to the A57 at Mottram Moor. Highways England is holding a six-week public consultation on the proposals, which ends on Thursday 17 December.