Plans have been submitted for a new bridge to make it easier to walk and cycle between Oldham and Ashton.

The proposed plans lay out how the bridge would be 140m long and would run across the Medlock Valley, along the old viaduct route on the Oldham-Tameside border.

Oldham Council has suggested the bridge would cost £5m to build and is hoping to secure funding from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund for Active Travel.

It is hoped that the bridge, more than 30m above the ground at its highest point, will be opened within the next couple of years if things go to plan.

The bridge would aim to offer pedestrians and cyclists a safe route as well as great views and comfort.

Original plans were initially unveiled in November 2021 and people were offered the chance to comment on different designs before a planning application was sent.

The design which has now been proposed was chosen following a consultation carried out last year.

Watch a video of the proposal here.

It is a steel girder structure that would weather in time for an industrial look that fits with the area’s heritage.

The completion of the project would also see landscaping work in keeping with the area.

The structure would provide a new southern access point to the Northern Roots site, the UKs’ largest urban farm and country park, and better connect Oldham with the rest of Greater Manchester.

It is predicted that the scheme would reduce the number of car journeys on roads in the area.

As it stands, there are roughly 22,500 daily car trips on the A627 and 16,900 on the B6194 made each day.

Cllr Amanda Chadderton, leader of Oldham Council, said: “We're working hard to provide better, safer, and greener transport links for our residents, as well as those travelling in and out of the borough for work or leisure.

"This bridge, which would be funded with Greater Manchester money, would make it far easier for people wanting to walk or cycle between Oldham and Tameside as well as, in the future, providing a great new route to Northern Roots."

Cllr Chadderton thanked people who took part in the consultation and encouraged people to comment on the planning application which can be found on the council's website.

The council has been working alongside Transport for Greater Manchester and Tameside Council on the proposal, which will be decided on at a future meeting of the planning committee.