Paving the way to improved Wigan township estate safety

Work has started to change a grass verge on, Rectory Lane in Standish, into a path after complaints about pedestrians being forced to cross over the road
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A Wigan councillor has welcomed the start of work to install a path on a busy stretch of road.

Coun Ray Whittingham had been calling for a pavement or crossing on Rectory Lane in Standish, which is still currently being developed with more housing.

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This is because part of the walkways leading to the estate stop and become grass verges, forcing pedestrians to cross over the road, and again a little further down the road.

Work has started on a new path for Rectory Lane, StandishWork has started on a new path for Rectory Lane, Standish
Work has started on a new path for Rectory Lane, Standish

He said there are two sections, one about 20ft and the other 50 to 60ft, where the path along Rectory Lane comes to an end and it is just grass near the roundabout.

He said that children and young mums pushing prams regularly go down the road and that safety was important.

But now a project to remedy the issue is under way with Morris Homes and Persimmon Homes carrying out the work.

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Coun Whittingham, who represents Standish on Wigan Council, welcomed the development as “good news”.

He said: “The council site technical officer has visited to confirm the works have started. These will be checked on once completed. In addition to this, other works are due to start in this area of Standish.”

He said the promised footpath from the leisure centre car park to the school is due to commence at any time, while allotments near there are also in the mix.

These will probably go ahead when the footpath is under construction.

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Parents had asked for the main footpath to be connected to the path on the new car park at the centre on Rectory Lane.

This was in light of parents and children having to walk in the road when walking to and from the car park while on the school run. Now a short section of land will be adopted and the new footpath installed and completed so everything is connected.

As well as this a low level gate will be installed on the height barrier columns of the leisure centre car park.

He said: “People will also be delighted to hear that a low level gate is to be installed on the height barrier columns to stop young drivers from entering the car park after closing time and ruining the car park surface and littering the area.”

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