PLANS for the unpopular Mottram bypass have been shelved after the Highways Agency withdrew from a public inquiry.
The scheme could still go ahead but would not start until at least 2016. Meanwhile, Barnsley West and Penistone MP Mick Clapham renewed his calls for the Woodhead tunnel to be reopened.
He learnt of the development on Wednesday morning when he received a letter from Department of Transport Minister Lord Andrew Adonis.
It states: "The decision has been taken after the Regional Leaders' Forum, 4NW, informed the Department of Transport that after assessing its priorities for funding from the Regional Funding Allocation it wants to delay the start of the scheme by at least four years, until 2016/17."
Lord Adonis goes on to say the scheme has not been cancelled, "merely deferred until the later start date."
Mr Clapham said the bypass plan was unpopular because, while it would reduce traffic congestion in Tintwistle and Mottram, it would dump it in Thurlstone and Penistone. Other options should now be considered.
Full story in this week's Chronicle
