But it’s not part of some deep philosophical debate – it’s about determining how many commuters are using the borough’s roads.
Survey teams have been out and about asking motorists about their travel arrangements as part of the council’s ambitious plans to create a new congestion-busting road network in Wigan town centre. The Wigan Inner Relief Route project is a multi-million pound new road scheme that will run from Saddle Junction to Frog Lane and will form an important part of the council’s plans to provide a transport ‘hub’ at the existing town centre railway stations.
The surveys, which took place across Wigan were designed to find out where motorists began their journey and where they were going to. During the exercise, officers interviewed more than 5,000 motorists at the roadside and issued more than 24,000 survey postcards to be filled in and returned by motorists.
Wigan Council’s Executive Director of Environmental Services Gillian Bishop said: “We know that the survey caused a few delays during the morning rush-hour, but we really appreciated the co-operation we received from the public. The results provided us with the information we need about the amount of traffic on our roads at peak times.
“We need these details to prove our case for the new relief route and we would like to thank everyone who took part.”
There will be chances to find out more about the road schemes through a series of information sharing events that will be open to the public over the summer.
For more information on this and the scheme itself visit the Wigan South Central: Gateway web pages at Wigan Council’s website: Wigan South Central: Gateway - What Is It?
Back on the buses
PLANS for a super bus route between Leigh and Manchester City Centre are back on track.
The idea for the Leigh Guided Busway, which would link the town to Manchester via Salford, has been talked about for the best part of 10 years.
But now, thanks to an agreement between Wigan Council and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, the scheme is a step closer to being given the go ahead.
Wigan South Central: Gateway
It will be funded through the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan and will significantly cut journey times into Manchester. It will also help to boost the local economy and be good for the environment.
Wigan Council’s Executive Director of Environmental Services, Gillian Bishop, explained: “The busway will mainly run on an old railway line between Leigh and Salford and then on a prioritised line into Manchester city centre.
“Part of the plan will also see the creation of a linear country park between Leigh and Tyldesley.
“This exciting project will make it quicker and easier for people from our borough to get into a major city centre and will include a link on to Manchester University.
“It will provide a faster, more efficient and safer travel option for local people. Buses using the route will also be ‘cleaner’ in terms of emissions, which should lead to improvements in air quality.”
The Leigh Guided Busway is now on course to be completed by Spring 2013.
For more information you can contact GMPTE on 0161 886 2613 (office hours) or email GMPTE
Wigan South Central: Gateway - Map (.pdf, 1.124kb)
