Improvements for cycling and walking in Wigan communities

The Worsley Mesnes Active Neighbourhood aims to make it easier and safer for residents to walk or cycle for shorter journeys rather than jump in the car by creating better paths, more crossings, and stopping vehicles using the residential streets as a cut-through.

In the first phase of works, a new road design on Keats Avenue uses planters and bollards to open the street to pedestrians and cyclists by restricting through-traffic – this makes the street safer for everyone.

People who live there can still drive to their houses, and there is still access for emergency vehicles and services such as bin collections and deliveries.

With the help of local school children, the planters will be filled with shrubs and flowers this autumn and two trees will also be planted at the same time.

Other changes to the neighbourhood to create safer space on our streets include: two new zebra crossings outside St James and St Jude’s primary schools and one on Ruskin Avenue, near to the shopping parade.

Four locations close to the schools, playground and shops have had safety measures built which narrow the road, which slows down traffic and makes it easier and safer for children and families to cross.

In the next phase of works starting in early October, another set of planters and bollards will be placed on Kipling Avenue next to the park, restricting through-traffic and making the road safer. Another pavement will also be built out on Shakespeare Grove.

A new element of this project will come to life in this second and final phase.

The existing path connecting the two sides of the Worsley Mesnes estate will be upgraded and new signage will show people the connections to other walking and cycling routes in the area.

All of these changes will make it easier for local people to choose to do these shorter journeys by foot, bike, or scooter, rather than use their cars.

Coun Paul Prescott, portfolio holder for planning, environmental services and transport, said: “It’s been shown that people are driving on smaller residential streets more than they used to, with apps aimed at saving us a few minutes directing drivers through side streets rather than staying on the main roads.

“This work in Worsley Mesnes will help to take this ‘rat running’ traffic off our residential roads, and create safer, more attractive areas to live in.

"This allows people to choose to walk or cycle for short journeys, such as to the shops, school or to see friends.

“With phase two set to start in early October, we are expecting this scheme to be complete by the end of the year.

“We are not just improving the environment and infrastructure to make it better and safer for walking and cycling, we are also working with the local schools to support children who want to cycle.”

The streets of Worsley Mesnes will be transformed in the £600,000 scheme, which has been developed by Wigan council and funded by the Department for Transport.