TRAFFIC bosses are looking at widening Rochdale Old Road to create better access to Fairfield Hospital.

They are asking consultants to see if short-term improvements can be made to the congested road at critical points.

Councillors then hope to draw up detailed models of long-term options for a proposed new access road.

Consultants have looked at three alternatives:

Route 3: using residential roads through the Topping Fold estate/Bridgefield Drive area from Bridge Hall Lane to Rochdale Old Road.

This would cost between £6,000 and £98,000, but consultants say it is only suitable as a secondary access route for emergency service vehicles.

Route 4: this uses Bridge Hall Lane and a new access road from the end of the lane direct into the hospital grounds. This would cost £1.7 million (as emergency access only) or £2.2 million for a general purpose road.

Route 5: building a new access road from the A58 Bury New Road direct into the hospital grounds.

This would cost £3.5 million, too much to provide emergency access only.

Bury North MP David Chaytor has put forward another option. He suggests a bypass between Rochdale Old Road and Bury New Road, aimed at reducing traffic congestion on Rochdale Old Road and on the road network in the east side of Bury, while also providing access to the hospital.

Councillor Stella Smith, executive member for environment and transport, said Route 5 would be the better long-term solution but very expensive.

it would also involve new legislation, buying up parcels of Green Belt land, and the co-operation of Rochdale Council, in whose borough half the route lies.

The consultants will cost £15,000, and are expected to report back in December.