First phase of £20m Wigan link road completes

Contractor Jones Bros Civil Engineering has completed the first section of the A49 connecting Wigan town centre to the M6 motorway. 

The first phase project, which provides a 2.3km stretch of road, involved the construction of three road bridges and two footbridges. 

The three bridges cross the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Poolstock Lane and Smithy Brook. 

The link road, running from Westwood Way, past Scotman’s Flash, over Poolstock Lane and onto Warrington Road at Goose Green, is designed to ease congestion around Wigan town centre.  

The next phase of the project will begin at some point this year, heading west to the south of Pemberton. When complete, the road will eventually meet up with an improved M58 link road from Junction 26 of the M6, to the west. 

Professional services consultant Turner & Townsend provided project management, site supervision and cost management services for the first phase of the project. 

Paul Knighting, North West infrastructure lead at Turner & Townsend, said: “Road infrastructure investment plays a significant role in regional connectivity and growth and the new carriageway will make a difference to the growth and development of Wigan.”  

Cllr David Molyneux, leader of Wigan council, added: “The completion of the road will provide quicker journey times for those commuting in and out of the town centre. The A49 project is a key part of our wider plans for better connectivity across the borough, helping to generate economic growth.” 

The link road project was funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which contributed £10m, and Wigan Council, which set aside £10m for the project.

A bridge was built to cross the Leeds and Liverpool Canal