ROADWORKS which are designed to improve safety on a busy route between Barnsley and Manchester begin tomorrow.

Highways England said drivers on the Trans-Pennine route will benefit from major safety improvements planned for the A628 as part of a multi-million investment.

Work will include creating a new right hand turn outside the Dog and Partridge pub, and new pedestrian crossing points will be installed to improve access for people using the Barnsley Boundary Walk. Traffic signs, footpath and road marking improvements will also be carried out.

Highways England project manager Chris Dunn said: “Safety is our top priority and we are always looking at ways we can improve things for the people who use our roads.

“As part of these vital improvements we will be carrying out sections of resurfacing work between the A616 Flouch roundabout and A57 Gunn Inn junction. This includes putting down sections of anti-skid resurfacing which will improve safety for drivers.”

Work on the resurfacing and junction improvement is due to start on Monday. Later this year work will start on the two new pedestrian crossing points which are planned to be completed by Christmas.

Work will be carried out overnight between Monday and Thursday nights and diversions will be in place.

Next year work is due to start east of Woodhead reservoir to stabilise the embankment and prevent the risk of land slips that cause disruption on the A628.