Nearly four kilometres of paths, bridleways, and tracks on the Whelley Loop Line, near Haigh Woodland Park, and in Standish are set for a major upgrade.

The routes, popular with Wigan borough residents, are being improved as part of Greater Manchester's Bee Network, a vision for a unified transport network including buses, trams, walking, and cycling.

The upgrade will see the currently muddy surfaces transformed into high-quality, hard surfaces, allowing for easier and safer use by residents who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot, or ride.

Councillor Paul Prescott, cabinet portfolio holder for planning, environmental services, and transport, said: "By continuing to upgrade local paths and expand our Bee Network, we are hoping people will feel more and more confident and able to make the choice to leave their car at home, and walk, cycle, wheel, or scoot for these local journeys.

"These off-road routes are so valuable in enabling people to explore the borough, and for daily journeys to work and school."

A kilometre-long extension of the popular Whelley Loop Line is planned, stretching from Canon Sharples Primary School to Hall Lane, with an accessible ramp being constructed up to Hall Lane Bridge.

In Standish, 2.7km of the bridleway from Wigan to Standish is being upgraded, from Gidlow Lane, along Barley Brook, finishing at Standish Wood Lane.

The route will remain a bridleway, but the path is set to be widened, creating more space for all users.

Both projects are expected to be completed in spring next year.

These improvements will create more options for people to explore the borough.

Councillor Prescott thanked residents for their patience and assured them the projects would be completed by spring next year.

The schemes have been made possible thanks to additional funding secured from TfGM’s Mayor’s Challenge Fund, which aims to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling levels across the city region.