Busway work on Astley Street to start next week

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have announced that a single lane closure of the street will be in place from the first week in December for 22 weeks after confirmed that work on Hough Lane will be complete by the end of this week.

Residents agreed that a single lane closure was the preferred option for traffic management on Astley Street rather than a full closure for up to 18 weeks following a public meeting in November.

An additional three-week full road closure will be necessary at a later date while United Utilities carry out water main works the timing of which is being reviewed by Balfour Beatty in order to minimise disruption.

However, following concerns from Fred Longworth High School, Wigan Council has decided with the support of TfGM to flow traffic from south to north, towards Tyldesley.

Some residents at the meeting had expressed a preference for the single lane of traffic to run north to south on Astley Street but this was before the impact for school children had been considered.

Jan Garretts, head teacher at Fred Longworth, said: “We feel that Astley Street being one-way in a north-south direction would result in numerous students being late for their morning registration and lessons.

“In the morning, the majority of our students arrive at school between 8.15am and 8.30am whereas after school this is more dispersed because they leave between 3pm and 5pm due to extracurricular and homework clubs.”

A council study of traffic flows in the area also showed that the south-north option would be the least disruptive, with advantages including managing access to schools and the town centre and reducing traffic along Manchester Road.

All partners have agreed to host a series of public events to talk with and listen to residents about the busway scheme and the planned Tyldesley town centre improvements. More information will be made available nearer the time.