Leeds and Liverpool Canal Towpath and Links
As part of our Standish / Wigan / Ashton Bee Network, we have the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Towpath and Links scheme. This scheme is about making our routes work for everyone and our borough a better place to live, work and visit. By creating routes that better connect our town centres and improving public space, we can help families and communities get about safely, cut down unnecessary car journeys and attract more visitors to our borough. The canal provides an opportunity for a safe and attractive commuter route to major employment areas, including Martland Park where Kraft Heinz and other businesses are located. It also runs alongside Robin Retail Park, which currently generates a lot of car journeys as a result of the shops, leisure hub and DW stadium.
The scheme will be delivered in Phases starting with the following elements:
Work to this section of canal and surrounding pathways will improve links from residential areas to employment and leisure zones. The scheme is also proposed to link with the existing Robin Park Road and Saddle junction cycling and walking facilities. The scheme will comprise of the following:
- Upgrade to the towpath along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Wigan town centre to the border with West Lancashire district; including maximisation of the towpath width, removal of barriers and improved surfacing - Under construction
- New pedestrian and cycle crossings on Loire Drive and Scot Lane - Completed
- Improved cycling and walking faciltieis around DW Stadium, connecting Loire Drive to the canal - Completed
- Improved cycling and walking facilities connecting Robin Park Road with Scot Lane and Laithwaite Park - Completed
- Improved routes through Laithwaite Park, connecting with surrounding streets - Under construction.
Scheme delivery
Work to upgrade the towpath is underway, with JN Bentleys carrying out the upgrade on behalf of the Canal and River Trust and the Council. Works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Have your say!
In order to develop the scheme proposals, we initially consulted with the public in summer 2021, and carried out further consultation in February 2022. We have taken into consideration the comments received and plans have now been finalised and can be viewed here:
If you have any questions, please contact the Major Projects team via email majorprojects@wigan.gov.uk.
Work has started on site to construct phase one of the Wigan to Standish Walking and Cycling Network.
The scheme will provide safe crossing facilities to Wigan Town Centre with access to all the services located there, including bus and train stations, shops, and health and leisure facilities. This will give local residents the option to walk, wheel or cycle safely into town rather than driving.
This is a densely populated area of Wigan, with little or no provision for crossing busy roads, and access to the town centre from this area is difficult if you are walking or cycling.
Wigan Council have been awarded external funding from The Mayor’s Challenge Fund to improve the following three junctions, which will comprise the following:
- Kenyon Road
- Existing traffic signals upgraded to include full pedestrian crossing facilities
- Widened footways around the junction to provide more space for pedestrians
- Bus stop repositioned away from the junction (towards Wigan Town Centre on Kenyon Road).
- Spencer Road West
- New Toucan crossing across Spencer Road West (between passageways from Dawson Avenue and Barnsley St).
- Buckley Street
- New ‘SHUTTLE’ traffic signals under Buckley St railway bridge
- Widening of footways for shared pedestrian / cycleway under bridge (linking passageway from Back Buckley Street / Gillan Road and the path to Mesnes park)
- Toucan crossing on Walkden Avenue, connecting Mesnes Park path with shared use facility.
Consultation
In order to develop the scheme proposals, we consulted with the public between Monday 23rd August 2021 until Monday 20th September 2021.
Following feedback received we have made changes to our designs and updated the ‘You Said, We Will’ document which can be viewed below, along with the latest plans:
View the final plans:
View the consultation letters:
If you have any questions, queries, comments, or suggestions please contact the Major Projects team via email majorprojects@wigan.gov.uk.