Leigh Traffic Reduction Scheme
Works started 27th May 2025 and are scheduled to end in September 2025. Works will be phased as follows:
Walmesley Road (Complete)
- A new zebra crossing will be installed between St Mary's Primary School and Leigh Parish Church/Asda
- The temporary measures currently in place, to create a one-way traffic system, will be replaced by permanent kerb buildouts featuring rain gardens.
View Walmesley Road plans.
Kirkhall Lane (Complete)
A new puffin crossing will be built between the junctions of Globe Street and Newall Grove. Side road uncontrolled crossing points will also be upgraded along Kirkhall Lane.
View Kirkhall Lane plans.
Atherleigh Way (14th June for approximately 3 weeks)
The grass verge running from Windermere Grove to the signal-controlled crossing on Atherleigh Way will be widened, surfaced and additional lighting installed between Atherleigh Way and Windermere Grove. This will provide a safe link for pedestrians coming from Leigh town centre, wanting to access the retail park.
View Atherleigh Way plan.
Twist Lane (22nd July for approximately 5 weeks)
A new puffin crossing will be built between the junctions of Welch Hill Street and Organ Street. Street trees will be put on Organ Street and uncontrolled crossing points will be upgraded.
View Twist Lane plans.
Windemere Road (16th July for approximately 5 weeks)
- The temporary one-way system will be replaced by permanent kerb buildouts featuring rain gardens at or below road level
- Side road crossings will also be improved along Windermere Road
- An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system will be installed to enforce the school street timed closures and prevent the misuse of the road by motorists
- Residents that live within the school street scheme will be written to separately by the Council’s Network Management team informing them on how they can apply for an exemption to enter/exit the scheme.
View Windemere Road plans.
Traffic management
The Council and the contractor, AE Yates, are planning to start works on Walmesley Road from 27th May 2025. As the contractor moves onto new locations, letters will be sent to affected residents and businesses providing further information. A robust traffic management plan is in place, with all works taking place under two-way temporary traffic lights. All roadworks, including diversions, will be clearly signposted. Access to properties and businesses will be maintained where possible.
How do I get in touch with the contractor?
If you have any queries, please contact the site manager Wayne Dickinson on 07749 442 762 or the Major Projects team.
To stay up-to-date please check the roadworks bulletin.
ANPR cameras
Residents that live within the School Streets scheme will be written to separately by our Network Management team explaining how they can apply for an exception to enter/exit the scheme.
School street scheme overview
The proposed school streets scheme aims to improve traffic and road safety by reducing traffic and creating quieter streets. Encouraging walking and cycling for short trips can reduce congestion and improve health. The scheme will reduce road danger around primary schools by making the temporary school streets on Windermere Road and Walmesley Road permanent, promoting active travel and supporting the 'park and stride' scheme. It also highlights the benefits of reallocating road space, reducing air pollution, and ensuring all addresses remain accessible by car without permanent road closures.
Home and business access in school street zone
It is important that every address within the area is still accessible by car. Wigan Council are not planning to closing any roads permanently.
Road closures
Roads will be closed for a timed period morning and afternoon:
- 8:15am - 9:15am
- 3:00pm- 4:00pm.
Locations
- Windermere Road (from Grasmere Street to Gordon Street)
- Glebe Street (from Prescott Street).
Changes
- ANPR cameras will be installed to monitor the school street zone
- New one-way systems will be introduced where necessary
- The school street will be extended.
Access
- Residents, emergency services, and school coaches will always have access
- A whitelist will be created to allow residents to pass cameras without receiving a penalty charge notice (PCN). Details on how to submit information will be provided before the camera installation.
Consultation
The consultation took place in July 2023.
Methods included:
- Leaflet drops with scheme plans
- Information on Wigan Council's website
- Press releases and social media posts
- Briefings to various stakeholders.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders we have engaged with are:
- Local residents
- Ward Councillors
- Emergency services
- Local schools
- Religious institutions
- Community and disability groups
- Local businesses
- Taxi companies
- Waste Services
- Highways
- Transport for Greater Manchester.
Funding
The Mayor's Challenge Fund (MCF) is providing funding for walking and cycling improvements. If the funds are not used in Wigan, they will be allocated elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
Bird I'th Hand Junction
Construction details
The works started on the project on Monday 8th September and are scheduled to last approximately 12 weeks.
The works will be undertaken by contractor Bethell, should you have any urgent concerns please contact the site manager on 07766 991392 or contact the Major Projects team.
We understand this may be frustrating, especially as the timing overlaps with the school period. Unfortunately, due to delays in essential preparatory utility works, the project could only begin at this time.
Traffic management
To ensure the works are completed safely, a traffic management plan is in place narrow lanes will be in operation, however, two-way traffic will be maintained. Advance notice signs have been placed to encourage residents to allow extra time for their journeys.
The bus stops next to Bird-I'th’ Hand public house will be closed during the works and the footpath on the southwest side of Wigan Road will be closed to pedestrian. On street signage will direct passengers to the nearest alternative stop.
All roadworks and closures will be clearly signposted. Access to properties and businesses will be maintained wherever possible.
The works have been planned to reduce disruption as much as possible, with the most disruptive tasks scheduled early. Final surfacing and signal commissioning will happen at the end of the programme and may cause some disruption. To limit the impact, surfacing will take place on Sundays or overnight.
For more details please visit our One network - Roadworks bulletin (external link), which will be updated regularly.
Scheme background
The Bird I’th Hand junction is part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Wigan to Leigh Improving Journeys scheme. This junction has been chosen specifically as it is a hotspot for delays and accidents. Whilst the junction does have some pedestrian facilities, this is only on 2 arms of the 4-arm junction.
The upgrades will include:
- Widen the road and extend the right-turn lane from Wigan Road (A577) into Liverpool Road (A58) to reduce delays and congestion in the area
- The two existing crossings will be upgraded to improve safety, making active travel journeys to and from the bus corridor more accessible
- The north-bound bus stop will be relocated on Wigan Road to Improve journey times and reliability of bus services operating on the corridors.
Wigan Council are delivering the scheme on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester. More information on the ‘Improving Journeys’ programme can be found on Transport for Greater Manchester's website (external link).
The scheme is funded through City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements and seeks to deliver much-needed highway and bus capacity, pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements will be delivered at the junction of the A58/A577 in Hindley.