FOLLOWING the announcement in last week’s Journal regarding the extended closure of Hough Lane and proposed closure of Astley Street to facilitate the construction of the guided busway, I am writing to express my concerns over the total lack of consideration shown to the residents of Astley and Tyldesley, especially the shopkeepers and business owners located in Tyldesley town centre.

I am writing as a resident of Astley and as a civil engineer with over 40 years’ experience in the type of construction activities associated with the guided busway.

The reason for closing Hough Lane was not to allow for the diversion of a gas main, but to allow for the demolition of the bridge over the old railway line and the filling in of the old railway line so that the guided busway will form a junction with Hough Lane.

Why the busway could not have travelled under the bridge and removed the need for a six to nine-month closure of Hough Lane is anybody’s guess.

It is obvious the programme for completing the guided busway is behind schedule, hence the need to extend the road closure.

The complete closure of Astley Street is, I believe, unnecessary as works to construct the junction could be undertaken in two sections using temporary traffic-light control and should take no more than a month.

Before any final decision is made to close Astley Street and cause chaos to the residents and financial distress to businesses, Wigan Council should hold a series of public meetings to explain why, in its opinion, Astley Street needs to be closed for five months.

KJ Marsh MICE, I Eng