The first phase of the regeneration includes a new multi-storey travel hub off Fairfax Road, which will replace the existing car park. The travel hub will be a modern, forward-thinking parking solution for the village that suits various modes of transport.
Once complete, the travel hub will provide:
The City Club parking bays will allow people the flexibility to hire a car for the day and return it to the travel hub once they are finished with it – perfect for those that need a car at short notice.
Temporary road closure
on fairfax road
In order to facilitate the construction of the travel hub, and to enable the future phases of the regeneration to come forward, a short stretch of Fairfax Road between Heys Road and just after Rectory Lane will be closed off in both directions from 13 October 2025 to July 2026, although we’re hoping to complete this sooner. The road will fully reopen at weekends (from 5pm Friday until 7am Monday).
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout, with a signed diversion underneath the tramline off Rectory Lane. A formal vehicle diversion will also be in place and clearly signposted.
The temporary closure is a vital health and safety measure to keep local people safe when large vehicles delivering heavy steel and other materials come to site. The team have worked closely with Bury Council’s highways department to find the best solution to allow the travel hub to be delivered in the safest and most cost-effective way possible to enable future phases of the regeneration plans to come forward. Traffic flows will be actively monitored, and additional measures will be put in place if required.
Enabling
transformation
This temporary disruption is an essential step in delivering the vision for Prestwich’s regeneration. The travel hub will provide a new, modern parking solution for the village, including electric vehicle charging points and accessible bays, alongside extensive cycle storage.
Completion of the travel hub paves the way for the redevelopment of the Longfield Centre, which will be transformed into a new village centre, with a new library, retail units, a new market, community spaces, attractive green public areas, and new homes.
Frequently
asked questions
Where is the temporary closure taking place?
A short stretch of Fairfax Road between Heys Road and just after Rectory Lane.
How long will the closure be in place?
The closure will run from Monday 13 October until July 2026. We will be regularly communicating with people throughout this period, and we’ll be working hard to minimise disruption where we can.
Why does part of Fairfax Road need to close?
We are entering a critical phase of construction which will see large quantities of heavy steel and other materials being transported to site. The temporary closure is a vital health and safety measure to keep local people safe.
The team have worked closely with Bury Council’s highways department to find the best solution to allow the travel hub to be delivered in the safest and most cost-effective way possible to enable future phases of the regeneration plans to come forward.
Why has this diversion route been chosen?
We’ve chosen this route to avoid traffic passing through residential roads and instead maintain the flow of traffic through main roads. Traffic flows will be actively monitored, and additional measures will be put in place if required.
The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order says the road will re-open in October, is this true?
We recently submitted the relevant legal paperwork to Bury Council to enable us to close the road, called a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). This states that the order will be in place until October 2026, however please note, this doesn’t mean the road will be closed for this duration. This is just to provide flexibility in case of any unforeseen delays. We’re hopeful that we can complete the work by July 2026 and we will be regularly keeping people updated as the work progresses.
Could the materials be transported in smaller quantities to lessen the disruption?
No, this period of work requires delivery of large steelwork that can only be transported by using specialist vehicles. By closing this small stretch of road, it allows us to transport these materials more efficiently through less vehicle journeys, which also helps us reduce impact on the environment and our carbon footprint.
How will you be mitigating disruption to bus routes around the village?
We have been working closely with TfGM to inform them about the closure to give them enough notice to amend their routes during the week. You can find these changes on their website. At weekends, bus routes will operate as normal.
Will the road be open at weekends when no work will be taking place?
We have developed a practical gated solution that allows the road to be fully reopened at the weekend from 5pm Friday to 7am Monday morning. Outside of these times the road must remain closed.
There will several weekends during the closure that the road will not reopen Friday to Monday, with the first planned in November. This is to carry out associated utility works on Fairfax Road by the entrance to the site. Further information will be communicated in advance.
Will pedestrian access be maintained?
Yes. While Fairfax Road will be closed off. A signed diversion will be in place underneath the tramline off Rectory Lane, providing access to the Longfield Centre and the wider village centre.
I live on Highfield Road. Will I still be able to access Bury New Road from Fairfax Road?
Yes, the entrance to Highfield Road from Fairfax Road will be open as usual.
How will businesses be impacted?
Service yard deliveries into the Longfield Centre and access to the car park via St Mary’s Road of Rectory Lane will remain open. We are continuing to engage with existing Longfield Centre tenants regarding the development of the wider regeneration of the village.
Was there another way you could have carried out the work without closing the road?
After considering a number of alternatives, we selected the option that offers the highest level of safety while delivering best value for the project. To ensure that the disruption is only during the week, we have developed a practical gated solution that allows the road to be fully reopened at the weekend.
Will I still be able to access the health centre?
The Prestwich Health Centre will be open as normal, and access will not be affected.
When will the weekend road closures take place?
Fairfax Road will remain fully closed for two consecutive weeks, from 7am Monday 10 November 2025 until 5pm Friday 28 November 2025.
The road will not be reopening on the following weekends:
• Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November 2025
• Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November 2025
Why do you need to keep Fairfax Road closed during the weekend?
As we are entering a key stage of the travel hub build, we will need to close Fairfax Road to allow the construction team to safely carry out essential underground service work, which will include digging large holes in the middle of the road to install new electricity and water lines.
These weekend road closures form part of a carefully planned approach agreed with Bury Council’s highways department to ensure that the travel hub construction can proceed safely and efficiently.
When will the road be open again during weekends?
The road will reopen from 5pm Friday 28 November until 7am Monday 1 December – and will continue to remain open over the following weekends.
Are there any more weekend road closures planned?
Yes. Further weekend closures are expected in mid-March 2026, but dates will be confirmed closer to the time in line with construction progress.
Will pedestrian and vehicle access be maintained?
Yes. While Fairfax Road will be closed off. A signed diversion will be in place underneath the tramline off Rectory Lane, providing access to the Longfield Centre and the wider village centre.
A formal vehicle diversion route will also be clearly signposted for all drivers. Visitors to the Longfield Centre will still be able to access the Longfield Centre car park from Rectory Lane off St Mary’s Road, which remains open.
How will you be mitigating disruption to bus routes around the village?
We have been working closely with TfGM to inform them about the closure to give them enough notice to amend their routes during the week. You can find these changes on their website.