Drivers in Oldham are being warned to expect significant disruption this summer as the Manchester Street Viaduct—a key dual carriageway link near the town centre—is set to close fully for seven weeks. The busy A62 flyover will be shut in both directions from 19 July until 3 September as part of essential structural repairs.

The closure forms part of a wider £6.5 million refurbishment project that began in May and is scheduled for completion in December 2026. Oldham Council has stressed that the work is critical, as the viaduct—built in the 1970s—has received no significant maintenance since it was constructed and is now in a deteriorating condition.

While some lane closures have already been in place, causing delays for commuters, the full northbound and southbound closure of the A62 at the viaduct represents the most disruptive phase of the works. The project is being funded through a combination of Oldham Council budgets and central government cash from the Department for Transport.

The council has published specific diversion routes for drivers. Those heading south on the A62 will need to exit at the Manchester Street roundabout slip road, navigate the roundabout, and rejoin the A62 via the next slip road. Northbound drivers are asked to follow the same procedure in reverse. The local authority stated it is "working with our project team to ensure that works are phased in such a way to minimise disruption to local businesses and residents over this period."

The need for the extensive work is put down to the age and history of the structure. The Manchester Street Viaduct was built in the late 1970s and has never undergone comprehensive maintenance. "Typically, highway structures have a design life of up to 120 years. To achieve the design life, maintenance interventions are required as materials and components deteriorate over time," an Oldham Council spokesperson explained. "Since being built, no maintenance works to halt deterioration have been undertaken. The planned works will ensure the structure remains in service for years to come."

The viaduct sits above the A62 Oldham Way and Manchester Street roundabout, carrying high volumes of traffic daily between Oldham, Manchester, Rochdale and other parts of the borough. Even the initial lane reductions have already caused delays for drivers, and the full closure is expected to increase congestion on surrounding roads significantly.

The refurbishment programme includes concrete repairs, expansion joint replacement, new waterproofing, parapet refurbishment, and full resurfacing. While most work will be carried out under lane closures, the council noted that the full closure is necessary to safely complete critical concrete repairs to key parts of the ageing structure. Users of the A62 are advised to plan alternative routes or allow extra time for their journeys throughout the summer.

While the short-term disruption is significant, Oldham Council maintains that the £6.5 million investment is crucial to secure the long-term future of this vital transport link for Oldham and the wider region.