To provide an alternative and more suitable means of access to the town centre, Wigan Council is promoting the construction of a new link road between A49 Warrington Road at Goose Green and the junction of B5238 Poolstock Lane / Chapel Lane. The 2.5km scheme aims to reduce traffic congestion by providing a new high capacity route into the town centre from junction 25 on the M6 motorway.
The artist's impression shown to the right illustrates the proposed line of the route looking east from Goose Green towards Poolstock and the Wigan Flashes. In the foreground is the proposed new junction which allows a continual dual carriageway into Wigan town centre, with local traffic able to proceed on the old A49 route towards Saddle Junction and Robin Park.
Improving access into Wigan also allows for the regeneration of Westwood Park, a brownfield site currently accommodating several hundred workers, and with the potential for many more. The A49 link, connecting to the new Westwood access road from Chapel Lane, will enhance the site's potential for developers.
The A49 link road is seen as vital to the aim of modernising the economic base of the borough. It is an essential part of the continuing transformation of the borough from its industrial heritage into the knowledge-based economy that will support sustainable growth.
Local transport plans
The new route will allow for a series of measures for local roads in the Poolstock area, improving safety, the local environment and enhancing quality of life:
- Upgrading pedestrian traffic signals at the junction of Poolstock Lane and St Paul's Avenue to allow people to cross all sides of the junction in one go.
- New traffic signal controlled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists near the junction with Worsley Mesnes Drive.
- Quicker more reliable bus services along the B5238
- New cycle facilities along the proposed road
- Wigan Council's local transport plans.
Key features
The proposed new dual carriageway road between the A49 at Goose Green and the proposed business park at Westwood will include:
- New signal controlled junction at the scheme intersection on the A49 at Goose Green, allowing access to the Pemberton Colliery employment site.
- Two new bridges at Poolstock Lane and the Leeds/Liverpool Canal between Scotman's and Pearson's Flashes.
- Upgrading the current access road in Westwood Park to dual carriageway.
- Speed limit of 40mph from Warrington Road to Westwood, and 30mph from Westwood to Chapel Lane.
- Major programme of tree planting, and embankment seeding.
Community
Relieving congestion and giving local people a real choice about how they travel is an integral part of the scheme and ensure it meets the needs of all sections of the community. The proposals will provide a safer, more attractive environment, retain existing and encourage new walking and cycling trips, and offer opportunities to improve public transport.
To contact us about the proprosed design of the scheme, you can email engineering.consultancy@wigan.gov.uk.
For information about the formal planning process, you must write to the Prinicipal Planning Officer at the address below.
