Todwick turn-off opens early

The crossroads at Todwick have re-opened as part of the A57 improvement scheme

The B6463 Todwick Road, between Todwick Crossroads and Pocket Handkerchief Lane had been closed since the new year while a new roundabout was constructed.

It is part of the £14.7 million A57 improvement scheme, due for completion early next year.

A diversion route through Dinnington has been in operation, and will remain in place in case it is needed at a later stage in the project.

But since Todwick Road re-opened on Saturday 18th May, traffic can now flow freely onto the newly created roundabout and off towards Dinnington, Laughton Common and Thurcroft.

It had originally been scheduled to re-open at the end of April, but bad weather threw a spanner in the works.

A new date of Monday 20th May was set. And to drivers’ delight they were able to use the junction two days early.

Rotherham council project manager Neil Foster said it had been delayed by ‘severe winter weather’ and also because project workers had decided to do some extra maintenance work further along Todwick Road.

“We had also planned to close the road again later in the year, but we’re hoping to get more done now so that we minimise the chances of having to do that,” he said.

A spokesman for the council said it was normal for new roads to re-open in advance of the official date, to identify any issues ahead of busy periods.