Concerns over speeding and youths running across new link road

They also claim cars have been tearing up and down the new stretch of road well in excess of the 40mph speed limit and have expressed concern about the lack of barriers or fencing separating pedestrians from vehicles.

Wigan Council said it was disappointed that some people have already been flouting traffic laws on the recently-opened route.

Police have also written about an operation on the new link road since it opened to put the brakes on speeding motorists.

One concerned resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I saw a group of kids running up the embankment and then from one side of the carriageway to the other.

“The police responded quickly and moved them on but about half an hour later another group arrived and were doing the same thing.

“There are no barriers or fences to protect pedestrians. It’s quite worrying. I was shocked when I turned round and saw them on the housing side of the railings.

“We’ve also now got boy racers on it all night every night speeding along.”

Another said: “The new road is lethal. It needs a high fence on both sides of the road from Warrington Road the whole length down to the roundabout by Scotsmans Flash.”

Concerns have also been raised about the location of a pedestrian crossing in relation to the footpath at the Poolstock Lane end and the lack of fog warning lights on a downhill stretch close to the Flashes, with residents saying thick mists coming off the water are fairly common and present a serious hazard for drivers.

GMP Wigan West posted on its social media page a picture of a police van at the side of the new link road and warned that drivers breaking the law would face the prospect of their cars being seized.