Bury Council’s Cabinet will consider accepting the final £8.5 million of Investment Zone funding for transport infrastructure intended to unlock the first phases of Northern Gateway, in a scheme council leader Eamonn O’Brien says is ultimately about jobs.
The funding is for Western Access, also known as the Pilsworth Road Corridor Improvements, a cross-boundary scheme involving Bury and Rochdale councils.
Council papers say the infrastructure could create capacity for up to 600,000 square metres of employment development, including advanced manufacturing and other high-value industries.
Jobs, apprenticeships and room to grow
O’Brien said the project was ultimately about creating jobs, apprenticeships and room for local businesses to grow, rather than the road works alone.
Final grant in £10m allocation
The latest sum is the final capital grant within a wider £10 million Investment Zone allocation. Earlier funding supported design and business-case work, while the £8.5 million would cover remaining pre-construction activity.
Cabinet approval is still required. The current programme anticipates preliminary designs during 2027 and construction beginning later in the decade.
