Overview
The A56 Cross Street / Ashfield Road / Atkinson Road junction in Sale is now complete.
The scheme was promoted and fully funded by Transport for Greater Manchester. It was delivered in partnership with us.
The improvement was to:
- upgrade traffic signals
- create safer pedestrian crossings
- resurface the pavement and road
These improvements will help transform the area. It will be much easier to get to destinations by road or by walking.
The scheme delivered
New, modern traffic signal equipment linked into the Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system.
The installation means:
- signals will respond in real time to traffic conditions
- better management of queues on the A56
- fewer vehicles blocking the junction and pedestrian crossings
- fairer and more reliable release of side-road traffic
- improved signal visibility and reliability
- a clearer and easier to use junction for everyone
Better bus reliability
Smoother traffic flow will reduce stop–start conditions. These conditions hold buses in queues. The changes support a more dependable bus network through Sale.
Safer pedestrian crossings and footways
Upgraded signals will provide clearer, more reliable pedestrian crossing stages.
Road surface and marking improvements
To reinforce safe and predictable driver behaviour, there has been an improved road surface as well as new:
- lane lines
- stop lines
- yellow box markings
Content updated: June 2026.