Plans to relieve the borough’s busiest ‘B’ road will be shared with local residents next week.
Wigan Council is holding a two-day exhibition at Hawkley Hall High School on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th February, 10.30am-7.30pm.
26 000 vehicles a day use the B5238 Poolstock Lane into Wigan. Council planners are proposing an A49 diversion, from Goose Green to Westwood – a new dual carriageway following the line of the old railway embankment into Westwood Park, a major new employment site.
The mile and a half long road would link into other major development work on Chapel Lane, near the town centre, and could be ready for use within three years. It’s anticipated that the new road will handle 70% of traffic currently commuting into Wigan via Poolstock Lane and reduce traffic around the busy Saddle Junction.
Modern infrastructure and investment in the local economy are vital, but the big winners will be local communities, as Councillor David Molyneux, Cabinet Member for the Environment explains:
“What’s important is that this scheme will make a positive difference to the whole area - benefits to local communities will be the big win. Reducing vehicle flows along Poolstock Lane will improve the environment for local people, making it a far nicer place to be.
“It will also have benefits for walkers and cyclists as well, allowing us to add new pedestrian crossing facilities and significantly improve conditions for cycling along Poolstock.
“There will also be a new segregated cycle path and footpath along the northern side of the new link road. Bus services through Poolstock will also become quicker and more reliable for journeys to and from the town centre.”
Engineers, traffic planners and economic regeneration specialists will be on hand at the exhibition to answer any questions from members of the public. Anybody wanting more information should contact Wigan Council on 01942 404364.
Note to editors
For more information, please contact Mark Crossfield, Highways Design Manager, on 01942 404319 or Keith Molloy, Principal Economic Regeneration Manager on 828988.
