Preparing Wigan junction for heavier link road traffic

The Bethell Engineering plant is using the open ground - which will eventually be home to a new road connecting Warrington Road at Goose Green with Billinge Road at Pemberton - as a compound while it carries out work on improved motor vehicle, cycle and walking facilities at the bottom of Smithy Brook Road.

Eventually it is planned to extend the A49 link road from Chapel Street to Warrington Road, all the way up through Highfield and along the back of Pemberton to connect with the M6 and M58 roundabout at Orrell.

Once that work is complete the Smithy Brook Road and Warrington Road junction will be expected to take a lot more traffic.

Major alterations are being made to the junction

And that is what Bethell is currently doing.

The current works aim to:

* Reduce the central refuge island to create additional traffic lanes in both directions on the A49 Warrington Road (between Smithy Brook Road and the A49 Link Road roundabout);

* Create an additional left turn lane on the A49 Warrington Road northbound approach into Smithy Brook Road;

The compound at the top end of Smithy Brook Road which led some to think work on the M58 link road had begun

* Deliver two-way segregated cycle facilities to aid connectivity and maintain road safety for people on bikes; and

* Improve pedestrian and cycle facilities at the junction by installing toucan crossings.

The work is expected to be completed in about 12 weeks’ time.

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