Built in the early 1930s as the country’s first inter-city highway, the A580 never actually reached east Lancashire because of the coming of the motorways.
Linking Walton in Liverpool to Salford, the road runs through the south of Wigan borough on the edge of the mosslands, and remains one of our busiest commuter routes.
For the last few years, Wigan Council has been responsible for the A580, after it was ‘detrunked’ and removed from national control. And since then engineers have been busy making it safer and more modern.
“Some of the bridges are nearly 80 years old,” says Mark Tilley, the council’s head of highways.
“We’re delivering improvement work, and because we recognise that the East Lancs is a fast road through both countryside and suburban areas, there are important safety measures going on as well.”
This summer sees some £600,000 of investment on the Leigh stretch near the Greyhound roundabout. “The bridges there need attention”, says Mark.
“There will have to be a contraflow. We’ve planned this for the summer holidays and the best chance of decent weather because the work depends on this.”
Safety improvements started a few years ago with a state of the art street lighting project using built in technology to control the lamps remotely.
Old signs and bollards are being replaced by new, solar powered versions with low-energy LED lighting.
The speed limit was reduced to 60mph and the council are cutting this to 50mph in more built up areas.
Extensive new facilities have been installed at two of the busiest pedestrian crossing areas, Astley and Lowton Lane Head.
“These areas have very bad records for accidents,” adds Mark.
“Careful redesign work will protect pedestrians – please respect the speed limits and drive carefully.”
Walkers and cyclists use the paths along the Lancs, too, and the wide grassy verges along the cycleway have had an eco-makeover.
Native wild flowers with high nectar content have been planted along two miles of the road.
As well as encouraging people to respect their environment, the planting will become a haven for butterflies. Look out for St John’s Wort, Corn Marigolds and Meadowsweet along the borders with St Helens and Salford!
