Footbridge over busy Wigan motorway junction finally put in place

Highways England’s contractors worked through the night to install the new 30m-long bridge over the A577 slip road at Orrell interchange, where the M6 connects to the M58.

The footbridge was brought onto the site on the back of a truck and lifted into place using a crane.

A previous bridge at the same location, which links Pemberton to the east of the M6 with Orrell to the west, had to be removed after it was hit by a lorry in November 2017.

The new footbridge, which is due to open to the public later this month, has a higher barrier on both sides, making it suitable for cyclists.

A new ramp will also provide step-free access over the slip road for people with prams and wheelchairs.

Vikas Baloch, assistant project manager at Highways England, said: “The new footbridge is now firmly in place and we’re on schedule to open it later this month once we’ve completed work to the paths on either side. The new bridge will reconnect communities in Orrell and Pemberton, so residents will no longer have to go the long way round to visit friends and family, or get to the shops or park.”

Orrell councillor Michael Winstanley said: "This is really good news and will be welcomed by many residents in the Orrell and Pemberton areas. This has been ongoing for a number of years but I am pleased that Highways Agency now appear to be nearing completion of this project.”

Temporary narrow lanes and a 30mph speed limit will remain in place on the A577 slip road for the safety of drivers and road workers until the footbridge opens.