Work set to begin on Poolstock link road enhancements

A five-month scheme to enhance Poolstock will begin this weekend.
Improvement works will begin at Poolstock this weekendImprovement works will begin at Poolstock this weekend
Improvement works will begin at Poolstock this weekend

On Saturday 20 February, Wigan Council will begin a phased programme of improvement works, taking advantage of the released road space following the creation of the A49 link road.

The works will include new parking bays, a zebra crossing and enhanced walking and cycling facilities, which will position the route as an attractive residential road, rather than a congested traffic corridor.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The changes have been agreed in partnership with local residents following consultations in 2019 and 2020. Submitted responses were then used to shape the scheme design.

Coun David Molyneux, leader of Wigan Council said: “Poolstock and Poolstock Lane make up one of the borough’s busiest areas, often seeing queues in peak periods, which caused environmental impacts like poor air quality.

“Now the A49 link road has been completed, it is the perfect opportunity for us to carry out the improvement works, which will make the area safer and will encourage more people to use sustainable modes of transport like walking and cycling.

“The planned improvements will also make Poolstock and the immediate surrounding areas more attractive and accessible to residents, rather than acting as a through-route for motorists.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The scheme, which will be funded by the Greater Manchester Growth Deal Minor Works fund, will take place over five months. To achieve this, the scheme has been split into the below five workstreams:

1. Installation of a long speed hump on Poolstock at the junctions of Morton Ave and Helmsman Way. The whole route will also benefit from new signage and lining during this time, with the inclusion of parking bays and a 20mph speed limit.

2. Installation of a long speed hump and the removal of guard rails on Poolstock Lane and Snowdon Avenue.

3. Replace the mini-roundabout on Poolstock and Pool Street with a priority junction, including an enhanced cycling and walking link to the canal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4. Installation of a zebra crossing and narrowing of the Worsley Mesnes junction at the A49 link road and Poolstock Lane.

5. Final works along the whole route such as traffic signal timing changes and landscaping.

Lane closures or diversions will be necessary at certain points to ensure the timeliness of the project and to safeguard the public and workforce on-site.

These temporary changes will be communicated to local people in advance and will be clearly signposted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Molyneux added: “With current guidance from national government to ‘stay at home’ still in place, we are taking the opportunity to deliver the work now as we anticipate less cars on the road and therefore, less disruption. We would like to thank the community and motorists for their continued cooperation and look forward to them being able to benefit from the whole scheme by the summer.”

Wigan Council has been allocated £800,000 of funding from the Greater Manchester Growth Deal Minor Works fund to make Poolstock and Poolstock Lane safer and more attractive for residents, while also encouraging walking and cycling.

For more information about this scheme, visit www.wigan.gov.uk/majorprojects.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers.

Related topics: