Progress in £6.6m scheme to regenerate Ashton town centre after months of disruption
Work to improve Ashton town centre has been funded by a £6.6m Government grant.
There is light at the end of the tunnel for business owners and residents in a Wigan town centre who have been disrupted by a £6.6m regeneration scheme.
People in Ashton have faced roadworks, diverted footpaths and restricted access since work began in February.
But now parts of the improvement project are reaching their final stages, meaning people may be able to breathe a sign of relief.
In a Facebook post, Ashton-in-Makerfield south councillor Danny Fletcher said Bolton Road had been resurfaced and traffic management had been removed, while Garswood Street is due to reopen to through traffic this week.
He said extra crews had been enlisted for Gerard Street and work is being carried out on Saturdays, in the hope it will be completed by Christmas and two-way traffic will be restored.
Coun Fletcher said: “I know it’s been a hectic few weeks with the roadworks and traffic, but we should now be getting to the other side of it.”
He also revealed that work had been completed on 14 of the 16 buildings having their fronts revamped, which include Ashton Pound Plus, Cupcakery, Hel’s Kitchen and Gee Tees.
Wigan Council secured £6.6m from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund to deliver a major programme of improvements in Ashton town centre.
It aims to make the area more attractive, increase visitor numbers, support businesses and drive growth.
Work includes improvements to the public realm on Gerard Street and Ashton Street and creating a public square on the historic market site, which can be used for events, by small businesses and by the community.
There are upgrades to Albert Street and Garswood Street car parks, improvements at the Bryn Street South crossing, off-path work between Townfields and Old Road, a new pedestrian crossing at Bryn Street South and gas pipe upgrades along Gerard Street.
A grant fund has contributed towards improvements to business premises and shop fronts, while a series of public artworks in the town centre has recently been unveiled.
The work was initially expected to be completed by November, but Coun Fletcher reported a few weeks ago that he had been told work on the public square will run into the new year.
Want more stories like this? Subscribe to our newsletter here.