Page 16 - Real Rochdale Issue 16 Winter 2022
P. 16
Dell Road reopens after major works
to save route from collapse
A road that leads to one of Rochdale’s most
popular beauty spots has re-opened 11
months after a major engineering project to
save it from collapse.
Dell Road provides direct access from
Shawclough Road into Healey Dell nature
reserve, which is also home to Healey Dell
Heritage Centre & Tea Rooms and Aunt
Mary’s Day Nursery.
It was closed following an inspection by the
council’s bridges and structures team in
February 2021 after more than 90 metres
of tension cracks appeared in the
carriageway. A further 60-metre mass concrete wall
founded on bedrock at a shallower depth
A decision was made on the grounds of was also constructed.
public safety to close the road to vehicles in
order to avoid a full collapse and the Almost 200 large hand-filled gabion baskets
potential loss of the route forever. filled with stone now line the newly
surfaced road to help prevent further
The large-scale works began in November landslides and 200 metres of new
2021 and were undertaken by F W Sherratt underground drainage pipes and six
Ltd. highway gullies installed to ensure adequate
drainage have been installed.
The council invested £1m in saving the
road, which included a full restoration Councillor Daniel Meredith, portfolio
programme that saw the installation of 24 holder for highways and housing at
metres of deep retaining wall supported on Rochdale Borough Council, said: “I would
cantilevered reinforced concrete like to thank local residents and businesses
foundations installed five metres below for their patience while works were
ground level. ongoing.
“The in-depth work undertaken on Dell
Road has been a long process, with the bulk
of it not actually visible to the naked eye,
but now back open thanks to investment,
the road provides safe access for walkers,
cyclists, horse riders and motorists.
“I encourage visitors to take advantage of
the beautiful surroundings, which include
the River Spodden, delightful scenery, an
award-winning tea room, walking trails and
spectacular waterfalls.”
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2022 16 17 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2022
