M62 or A628 across The Pennines

[David.]

Got a trip planned to Wales, we will be heading to Chester & beyond from Teesside.

Was planning to use the M62 from Leeds to Manchester, M60 (Manchester North), M62, M6 & M56.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=M62 ... s&t=m&z=10
It has been suggested that this route could be congested & an alternative might be appropriate.

Could stay on the M1 to Barnsley, then take the A628 (through Penistone) to the M67, M60 (Manchester South) & M56.
http://goo.gl/maps/jeNEK

Has anyone been across The Pennies on either or both of these routes recently & can offer any advice on which one to take, thanks.

[Maz12]

A lot depends on what time of day your travelling and what day of the week

[David.]

Our outward journey will be on a Thursday morning, returning on a Sunday afternoon.

[MattyP]

Hi.  I, unfortunately, have to travel across the A628 (Woodhead) fairly regularly to Manchester.  I live only a few miles from Penistone and join the road at Flouch roundabout.  The entire journey is dreadful (apart from the scenery).  It is single carriageway and always has heavy traffic on it. Lorries are a plenty and if you get behind one then you are effectively stuck as it is a very dangerous road for overtaking (most of it is continuous white line anyway).  Once you get towards the outskirts of Manchester (from a place called Tintwhistle) then you join the usual traffic jam heading for the M67 to the Manchester ring road.  As you come in to an area called Mottram the traffic is always stationary and it is usual to spend 45 ish minutes to join the M67.  This is just how it is!  I have been here for over 20 years and it has only got worse!  Travelling back on a Sunday should be easier but still not good.  Transport routes East - West (Sheffield to Manchester) are desperate and there has been a Mottram by-pass plan for years which has come to nothing.  Northern powerhouse.... huge joke!


Sorry to be so pessimistic and I hope your trip to Wales is / was good!


Matt

[Rick B]

Welcome to my world,,I live in Glossop all my life and from my earliest memory regarding Tintwistle (30 years+)there have been plans for a by-pass,They do nothing for the infrastructure but plenty towards the building of Un-afordable houses.

[David.]

Looking back at the BaseCamp routes, we used the A628 in both directions.

[Rick B]

Slightly longer but more scenic and you can stop off at J & S for a brekky and a look at the bike gear < Bingo!&nbsp; be

[David.]

Slightly longer but more scenic and you can stop off at J&S.

Would that be at Northwich.

[Rick B]

Would that be at Northwich.

Yeah,, Great cafe there too