RESIDENTS have complained about huge traffic queues and congestion due to roadworks in Atherton.

On Wednesday, August 7, temporary lights were installed by Cadent Gas along Tyldesley Road and the adjoining Mill Street, in order to carry out "essential gas main replacement works".

The lights and road works have been installed during the school holidays in an attempt to minimise traffic disruption, but it has resulted in long delays between Atherton and Tyldesley.

At busier periods, residents have reported that hundreds of cars have been gridlocked on the main road in both directions, with some being delayed up to 30 minutes and longer. Some have been late for work or appointments as a result.

Others have complained about the temporary pedestrian footpath in place while others have raised concerns on the impact this has had on bus services, with the bus stop at Hindsford also beingtemporarily removed due to the roadworks.

Under Cadent's contract with Wigan Council, workers are required to man the temporary lights between 7am to 7pm to ease congestion, although residents have disputed that this has been the case over the past week.

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A Wigan Council spokesperson said “Cadent Gas are carrying out essential gas main replacement works on Tyldesley Road, Atherton.

"The works are being carried out during the school holidays to minimise disruption and are due to be complete by Thursday, August 29.

“As one of the conditions for permission, the council required that an operative was provided to manually control signals everyday between 7am-7pm, to help ease congestion.

"We are continuing to liaise with them to ensure the works are completed as soon as possible.”

Electricity North West has also installed temporary lights along Wigan Road in Atherton, which has also caused delays. These will be in place until Monday, August 19.

A road closure is also in place on Platt Lane until Monday, August 19, as the road is set to be resurfaced.