Business owners say the roadworks are killing their trade – with one already closing up shop after 43 years

06:01, 04 Nov 2025Updated 06:11, 04 Nov 2025

(Image: Copyright Unknown)

Long-running roadworks that ‘forced a barber into early retirement’ will now go on for months longer, council chiefs have confirmed.

A project to install a bike lane across Ancoats and New Cross has brought disruption to traders and traffic on Oldham Road, near its junction with Wing Yip, for most of this year.

Local resident Chrisse Keener said the delay was ‘insane’, pointing out the original project dates at the Oldham Road/Thompson Street junction were ‘February to April 2025’ – and will now be set to have lasted around a year from start to finish.

The roadwork scheme has caused a ‘drop-off’ in trade for businesses, leading Jimmy Kennedy to close his barbershop, Kutters, in September after 43 years in business.

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“I’m getting older, I was going to go until next year but I cannot fight this. I will lose the battle,” the 67-year-old told the Local Democracy Reporting Service three weeks before closing.

“I’m doing nothing here, there’s no passing trade. Clients are moaning there’s no public transport because there’s no bus stop open here, they have to get off at Butler Street or Oldham Street.”

Another barber two doors down, Ernest Armakpado, owner of Headmaster, also said his business was being ‘murdered’.

The project to install a bike lane on Oldham Road in Manchester has now moved to parallel Rochdale Road(Image: Copyright Unknown)

Now, Manchester council has confirmed the project, which was set to finish in November, will be completed months later than planned.

Work has moved on to Rochdale Road, near to the Marble Arch pub, a spokesperson said: “As with any major infrastructure project there are a number of factors which can impact the completion date.

“It is important to note that the majority of works have been completed in Oldham Road and Thompson Street, and improvement works have already started on Rochdale Road.

Original signage at the Wing Yip junction said work would be completed by April 2025, Chrissie Keener said, with updated signs saying July(Image: Copyright Unknown)

“With the Northeast Gateway scheme, the council has always aimed for a completion date by the end of November, however, there have been a number of factors outside our control which have impacted its delivery.

“There were some issues with materials being sourced for the Oldham Road leg of the project, as well as some delays around essential utilities works. Works will also be scaled back during the Christmas period – this happens every year as the council works to ensure that during the busiest period of the year, delays on the roads will be kept to a minimum.

“We are grateful for people’s patience during this period and want to reassure residents and businesses that the council and its contractor is working hard to have this scheme completed by early 2026.”