Wigan tries again with road project
Wigan Council is re-tendering for the design and construction of a new high capacity route into Wigan town centre from the south of the borough.
The proposed A49 Goose Green to Westwood Park Link Road is a connection from the existing A49 Warrington Road roundabout at Goose Green continuing through Westwood Park, north of Pearson’s Flash up to and including improvements to Chapel Lane/Poolstock Lane Junction.
The project was initially awarded to Galliford Try in June 2015, but the contract was terminated, “amicably and by mutual consent,” a Wigan spokesman told Place North West.
The scheme will consist of approximately 2.3km of new dual carriageway which includes an upgrade along the existing Westwood Park internal access road.
The project will incorporate three new major structures to bridge existing watercourses, canals and a primary road, the widening of an existing canal over bridge plus two new footbridges, a new culvert and two new retaining walls.
Been badly needed for over 25 years…
By John S
How does this tie in with the GM2040 agenda by promoting public transport and carbon reductions? Surely this project would further add to congestion in Wigan Town Centre by releasing supressed demand and allow vehicles to arrive on a ring road (which is already constrained) faster than the rest can clear.
I think a Park and Ride provision with bus priorities would defiantly complement this scheme. Give those travelling into Wigan a viable alternative.
By Anon
Why don’t we just extend the M58 to meet the M61??
By Kayla Bibby
Once again Wigan ignores sustainable transport and prioritises metal boxes over people. Will they never learn? Of course, if they did want to learn, a cheap Ryanair flight any random German city would give them the answers.
By Peter Black
“Sustainable transport” usually means a solution that suits about 4% of people…
By John S
Non-car modal share across England is 36%, not 4%. See here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/nts03-modal-comparisons
In a built-up urban conurbation like GM, which has the most extensive and frequent public transport services outside of London, this modal share could be expected to be significantly higher.
This modal share won’t improve unless we invest in sustainable travel. Contrary to popular belief, Vehicle Excise Duty (‘Road Tax’) and fuel duty don’t cover the full cost of car infrastructure. Driving is bloody expensive, so it doesn’t feel like it but… drivers are enormously subsidised by general taxation. Should think twice before splurging on schemes like this which – given the extra traffic will still have to travel to/from the new road – will only make congestion elsewhere on the highway network worse.
By Rooney
Thanks for the Government reference on mode share. I had a look at it and it show for every 100 trips, only 10 are by bus and rail. Your 36% includes 22% walk trips.
By Simon
And?
“The” 36%, not “my” 36%.
Walking and cycling are sustainable modes and don’t come for free.
As noted, GM has significantly better public transport provision than the entirety of England outside of London, which includes not only Metrolink but bus coverage and frequency, so this national figure is an underrepresentation of the region. 10% is nonetheless two and a half times higher than the claimed 4%.
By Rooney
Walking is sustainable transport….
By JIM
I’ve dug this out just for you: https://data.gov.uk/dataset/transport-statistics-greater-manchester-key-centres-section
Per Tab 3.20, 2015 peak period Non-Car Modal Share to Wigan town centre is 61% AM/ 65% PM. Rail and bus is 32% AM/ 33% PM.
Bye.
By Rooney
Wigan Council don’t seem to have much luck with their road schemes – all their efforts to connect M58 to M61 seem to be in vain – when will they succeed in at least ONE project?
By JGW905