Key Points
- Residents and local officials highlight urgent need for a link road between Wigan and Bolton.
- The motorways M6 and M61 serve Wigan and Bolton but the key connecting road remains incomplete.
- Makerfield’s MP, Josh Simons has publicly advocated for the construction of the link road.
- Wigan is ranked as the seventh most congested town in the UK.
- Existing partial infrastructure, Westwood Way (part of A49), terminates abruptly, causing traffic diversion issues.
- Route 225, a proposed link between M6 Junction 25 and M61 Junction 5, has been planned and cancelled multiple times.
- Failures are attributed to financial constraints and lack of cooperation between Wigan and Bolton local authorities.
Why is a new link road between Wigan and Bolton urgently needed?
The struggle to travel less than two miles between Wigan and Bolton has persisted since before the construction of the M6 and M61 motorways, making daily commutes a significant challenge for residents. As reported by Josh Simons, the MP for Makerfield, who recently took to social media to stress the urgency of building this road, Wigan is the seventh most congested town in the United Kingdom. Traffic congestion, especially around Goose Green where the partially constructed Westwood Way diverts traffic towards Wigan town centre, has led to significant delays and frustration for commuters.
What is the current state of infrastructure between Wigan and Bolton?
While motorways M6 and M61 serve the two towns separately, the link road that would efficiently connect these routes is incomplete. Westwood Way, which forms part of the A49 dual carriageway on the Wigan side, ends abruptly at a roundabout. This forces traffic into town centres rather than allowing a direct flow between the motorways. This incomplete infrastructure disrupts traffic flow and adds to the overall congestion problem experienced by residents.
What are the plans for the proposed link road, and why have they stalled?
Route 225 is the proposed road intended to link Junction 25 of the M6 with Junction 5 of the M61, effectively connecting Wigan and Bolton. However, plans for this road have been proposed and then shelved multiple times over several decades, primarily due to funding shortages. Additionally, complications have arisen from a lack of coordinated effort between the Wigan and Bolton local authorities, which has hindered progress on such a crucial infrastructure project. This repeated cycle of approval and cancellation continues to fuel public and political frustration.
How has Makerfield’s MP, Josh Simons, positioned himself regarding the link road?
Josh Simons has made the construction of the Wigan to Bolton link road a significant part of his political agenda. By posting a video on social media, he publicly highlighted the severity of Wigan’s traffic congestion and advocated for the road's construction to alleviate commuting difficulties. His vocal support underscores how critical the project is for local constituents and marks his commitment to pushing the issue forward politically.
What impact does congestion have on Wigan residents and the local economy?
As the seventh most congested town in the UK, Wigan suffers from severe traffic delays impacting the daily lives of its residents, particularly those commuting short distances such as between Orrell and Westhoughton. This congestion limits economic productivity, increases travel times, and contributes to environmental pollution. A reliable link road would ease traffic pressures, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for the local population by facilitating easier access and reducing delays.