Will the works affect access to my business/property?
Ensuring resident and business access is maintained is a priority during construction. For any queries or concerns regarding access, please directly contact Bethell’s Project Manager, Jason Halliday, on 07483 242340 or [email protected].
How long will the works last?
The programme of town centre regeneration and improvement works are scheduled to take place from 16th February 2026 until November 2026. These works are part of Wigan Council’s commitment to transforming the heart of Ashton in Makerfield for the benefit of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Who do I report on-site issues to?
For any queries or concerns regarding access, care workers/emergency vehicles, or any problems with traffic management, please contact:
Project Manager, Bethell Construction Ltd
[email protected]
For queries regarding missing or unclear signage, blocked pedestrian routes or anything further please contact:
Customer Liaison Officer, Bethell Construction Ltd
[email protected]
If you have specific questions relating to the project while work is ongoing, please email [email protected]. Any questions received via this mailbox will be responded to within 10 working days.
How will traffic and congestion be managed during construction?
Some disruption and delays are to be expected on a scheme of this size. To help ease this, signs will be put up at strategic locations on the major approaches to Ashton to advise drivers to consider alternative routes during the works, where possible. Other ways we are managing the traffic include:
- The Traffic Management (TM) will include cones, barriers, and changes to the traffic lights
- The major change to the road layout will be a one-way northbound operation on Gerard Street
- Southbound traffic, previously using Gerard Street, will be directed via Bryn Street and will be given more green signal time at the various traffic lights
- We will work closely with refuse collection services, emergency services, and the local bus operators to ensure continued access and service provision throughout the duration of the scheme.
Where can I park while the works are taking place?
- There are no proposed changes to on-street parking arrangements on Bryn Street
- There is currently no parking available on Gerard Street, only loading bays and taxi bays, which will continue to operate as they are now
- The on-street parking on Garswood Street will be suspended for the duration of the works in this area and will be reduced for the permanent scheme
- Whilst construction is taking the place, the contractors will work hard to ensure a car park (or a portion of a car park) will remain operational throughout. Albert Street car park works will take place first, whilst Garswood Street car park remains open. Once Albert Street car park is complete, works will start on Garswood Street car park. Garswood Street car park will be worked on in two halves, so one half will always be open for parking
- The decision was made not to provide resident or business permits as part of the finished scheme in order to maximise the parking provision for visitors and shoppers. That means that once restrictions are put in place, residents will need to park in alternative locations during the daytime. There will not be any restrictions for parking in the town centre overnight
- Other car parks are available at Millingford Grove, Albert Street and Hilton Street, which will remain free
- A detailed parking survey was carried out by an external provider on all the car parks within Ashton town centre. From this survey and other feedback, we know that it is important that parking is available for people wanting to visit for shorter periods, as well as those needing to park for longer stays. The survey showed that there was sufficient capacity at other nearby car parks for longer stays, so that Garswood Street car park could be used for short stays for visitors and shoppers.
How were the projects decided?
Early work to develop proposals included a stakeholder workshop, supported by the Government’s High Street Task Force (HSTF), in February 2022 including representatives from the business community, the voluntary sector, young people and the Council.
Further workshops, stakeholder meetings and public consultation took place to refine the proposals and ensure they were well supported. Feedback on the application from Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Community praised the way stakeholder engagement was used to develop the bid and allow it to meet the needs of the community.
Why can’t HGVs be removed from routes through Ashton town centre?
Ashton town centre continues to accommodate Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) movements as they are essential to the operation of local businesses. Retail premises, including shops and supermarkets, rely on regular deliveries, many of which are transported by HGVs due to the volume and nature of goods required.
In addition to town‑centre servicing, HGV traffic also originates from surrounding areas such as Abram and Platt Bridge, where local companies depend on freight access to support their operations. These vehicles often travel through Ashton to reach the strategic highway network, including the motorway system, which is necessary for wider distribution and onward travel.
As such, a level of HGV activity through Ashton is unavoidable and forms a critical part of supporting the local economy and maintaining supply chains for residents and businesses.
Why isn’t a gyratory system being introduced in Ashton town centre?
Transport for Greater Manchester has undertaken detailed modelling of a potential gyratory system to assess whether it would provide measurable benefits to traffic movement. The results indicated that the proposal would not deliver improvements to congestion levels or journey times within the town centre.
However, early feedback on the temporary one-way system currently in place on Gerard Street shows that traffic is running slightly better than before. This traffic management will be in place for the duration of the construction and will act as a trial. We will continue to monitor traffic flows throughout to understand if a change to the network could bring long-term benefits to Ashton town centre.
Why can’t a pedestrian crossing be installed at the Liverpool Road/Warrington Road junction?
The junction of Liverpool Road and Warrington Road has been identified as a location where the introduction of signal‑controlled pedestrian crossing facilities would be beneficial. The Council recognises the need for improving pedestrian safety and accessibility at this point.
However, signalised pedestrian crossings require significant road space to safely accommodate pedestrians and motorists; this includes a minimum 2-metre wide, unobstructed footway for waiting pedestrians. Unfortunately, there is not adequate space on Warrington Road as the footway outside the Kings Arms is very narrow. Having previously explored all the options, the only one available is to demolish the Kings Arms to create the space; this would be very costly, and the feedback is that residents and businesses are not in favour of losing the historic building.
Notwithstanding these constraints, the Council will continue to assess options for enhancing pedestrian provision at this junction. Opportunities to deliver such improvements will be explored as part of future funding bids and wider network improvement programmes.
What consultations and surveys took place in order to help shape the plans?
The projects were identified and developed following three years of extensive engagement with local residents and stakeholders, including workshops, meetings, and public consultations held both in the town centre and online. Alongside this, a number of in‑person meetings took place with ward members and businesses, helping to drive the proposals forward.
This work provided a strong basis for the Council’s funding bid, which was submitted in Summer 2022 and contributed to securing a positive outcome. Following this, the Ashton Innovation Board was formed. The Board is made up of residents, businesses, and councillors who meet regularly to discuss plans and next steps for the town centre.
- In December 2023 we commissioned an external provider to carry out a detailed parking survey of all the car parks within Ashton town centre, to ensure that there is sufficient car parking capacity and shape the car park management proposals
- Traffic modelling was carried out to understand the effect the plans would have on the wider road network. These helped shape the final scheme
- In early 2024 we held an online consultation via Citizen Lab and listened to residents, young people, workers and businesses to find out what they believe are the priorities for Ashton. This feedback we gathered has been used to inform and guide the final proposals
- Between October 2024 and April 2025, we did several drop-in sessions for residents and the public, an in-person business forum meeting as well as an online survey. These were used to gather feedback and opinions on the proposals, and changes were made to these proposals based on this feedback
- In April 2024 an open day/drop-in was held with the consultants (Creative Heritage) about the building grants scheme as well as inviting wider conversations about the project including Ashton’s history and ideas for art work
- From July 2025 Minerva Heritage was commissioned to carry out stakeholder consultation for the public art workstream. Engagement included business interviews, public drop-in events, a borough-wide survey, and school workshops. There will be ongoing work to gather feedback on ideas for public art in Ashton as well as an opportunity for local artists and art groups to get involved in helping shape the project.
How is the project being funded?
The Council has secured £6.6 million from the government’s Local Regeneration Fund (LRF) to deliver a major programme of investment that will enhance the offer and environment within the town centre, support existing and new businesses, improve connectivity and create vital community space.
The town centre improvements are also being delivered as a coordinated package alongside the Ashton Sustainable Travel Routes scheme. Funded through the Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF) allocation.
Why is money being spent on these town centre improvements and not other areas?
The Local Regeneration Fund has been awarded specifically to support the following projects, which we anticipate will make the town centre more attractive, increase visitor numbers, support existing and new businesses and drive growth:
- Improvements to the historic market site which will create a new public square and bring it back into use for a range of uses including events, small businesses and space for the community
- Enhancing the public realm on Gerard Street and Garswood Street, making them more attractive, greener and safer
- A grant fund to contribute towards improvements to business premises and shop fronts, helping to reduce vacant and under-used space and creating a welcoming atmosphere
- Artwork which will complement the new public square development and help create a place that reflects the pride, history and values of the local community.
The Ashton Sustainable Travel Routes scheme, funded through the Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF) allocation, focuses on enhancing pedestrian facilities and improving active travel links close to the town centre:
- A new pedestrian crossing on Liverpool Road outside St Oswald’s Church
- Signalisation of the existing pedestrian crossing on Bolton Road
- Offroad path upgrades between Townfields and Old Road, including a new bridge over Millingford Brook
- Improvements to the uncontrolled crossing at the Bryn Street South junction.
What plans are you proposing for the new market square?
The plan for the space in Ashton’s historic market site is that it will be transformed into a multifunctional public square. We know, from consultation and engagement, that there is demand from the community to bring back a market offer and we want this area to become home to a range of community, social and entrepreneurial activities that will boost local productivity and restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging. The multifunctional public square will provide a place for socialising and community engagement that would cater for the needs of all age groups.
What kind of trading will the new market offer?
We plan to encourage various businesses, ranging from start-ups to food and drink establishments, to set up in this location and make the space vibrant and modern to appeal to young people and families, yet attractive and easily accessible to the elderly.
How many businesses have received the grants?
Sixteen properties have been successful and have either already received their grant or will be receiving their grants this year. All of these are local businesses and landlords who have made financial contributions to their scheme, demonstrating their confidence in investing in Ashton.
How were the businesses chosen?
The businesses were chosen through an application process – every commercial property within the Ashton Conservation Area was eligible to apply. In order to maximise the impact of the scheme, priority was given to properties on Gerard Street. The reason for this is to take advantage of the benefits that can be achieved by ‘clustering’ properties together which means that groups of improved properties close to each other have a greater impact than individual properties dispersed across the town centre. We also considered the impact of change, including the historic character of the property and the level of intervention needed.
How have we ensured we have added value and built community wealth?
Whilst each grantee was free to choose their own architects and builders, we provided them with a list of firms located within Wigan borough. We are pleased to say that of the projects chosen, 70% of the schemes have either an architect or main contractor from within Wigan borough and about 40% have both.
In addition, we have carried out historical research into the properties that we are working on and published that on our blog: Your Town, Your Stories.
We are also working with our Museums and Culture team to support their ‘My Town in the Past’ programme which introduces schools to the heritage of their local area and is suitable for Key Stage 2 and upwards. For more information please email [email protected].
Why is grant funding being given to property owners and businesses?
The shopfront and building grant scheme have been designed to ensure that public funds are used in the most appropriate way to enhance appearance of buildings in Ashton and therefore impact positively on perceptions of the town centre and stimulate further investment.
Much of Ashton town centre is designated as a conservation area and many buildings that are not listed still have important contributions to the character and heritage of the town. Despite this responsibility, some buildings in Ashton detract from the quality of environment due to poor maintenance or unsympathetic alterations and signage. This issue was raised in our early consultations with the public.
The building grant scheme will address this by providing a stimulus for owners to improve their premises and it will result in wider benefits for the town as it will be better maintained, more attractive and heritage features reinstated or restored. Examples of the positive impact of schemes such as this can be seen across the country, and locally in Tyldesley. Find out more about the improvements made with the For Tyldesley High Street Heritage Action Zone (external link).
The Council are working with an experienced consultation team, Creative Heritage, to deliver the scheme in Ashton.
What support can be offered to my business throughout the construction?
If you have any concerns or queries about how the works may affect your business, please contact our business support team via email [email protected] or on 01942 489190.
The business support team will connect you with Business Growth Hub who have specialist business advisors who can advise on many things including:
- Business planning – looking at new opportunities, pivoting the business
- Business contingency and managing risk
- Marketing – how to effectively share a 'business as usual' message to their customers
- Finance/managing cashflow.
Can my business receive compensation due to the works?
The Council apologises for the inconvenience of the works throughout Ashton Town Centre and thanks you for your patience whilst these are being carried out.
Statutory provision for compensation is set by central Government, and there is currently no statutory provision for compensation by the highway authority if a business is affected by road works. Whilst the Council is not permitted to cancel or waive rates as a means of compensation, in some circumstances businesses can claim hardship relief to reduce bills.
To discuss eligibility, please contact the business rates team by emailing [email protected] or by phone on 01942 489001.