Beams laid for Wigan link road bridge

Contractor Jones Bros Civil Engineering has reached its first milestone on the A49 link road, with beams installed for the first of three new bridges.

Wigan Council commissioned Jones Bros to deliver the link road project, which will connect Warrington Road and Goose Green to Westwood Park and the town centre at the Poolstock and Chapel Lane junction as the council looks to relieve congestion.

The works include the creation of a new highway and three bridges, the first of which will cross the Leeds and Liverpool Canal’s Leigh branch, adjacent to Scotman’s Flash. Each beam is 32m long and weighs 70.5 tonnes.

Works began on the scheme in September 2018, with completion scheduled for spring 2020.

Becca Heron, director for economy and skills at Wigan Council, said: “The A49 scheme has reached its first milestone with Jones Bros now installing the first beams in preparation for the first bridge being erected.

“The installation of the beams means that the first bridge is now one step closer. There will be another two bridges installed throughout the duration of the scheme, one over Poolstock Lane and one over Smithy Brook.

“Once the link road is complete, there will be many benefits including providing businesses and residents with better east-west connectivity in the borough, which is a vital part of the borough’s economic growth strategy.”

Heron took over as Wigan’s economy and skills director earlier this year, arriving from a position as policy and strategy manager at Manchester City Council.

Eryl Evans, project manager at Jones Bros, said: “The A49 link road is progressing well and we’re pleased to have hit our first major milestone. Where possible we are working with local contractors, and are also still recruiting.”

The A49 scheme has been made possible through funding support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s growth deal pot, which is managed by Transport for Greater Manchester.