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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Josie Le Vay

'It's just not on!' 12 weeks of misery on one of Manchester's busiest roads - where commutes are over an hour longer than they should be

Residents on a stretch of road plagued by maintenance work are fuming over another dose of disturbance - scheduled to last 12 weeks.

According to locals, blockages on Bury New Road, in Sedgely Park, are adding more than an hour and a half to their daily commutes.

The 'massive disturbance' is also having a negative impact on the businesses lining one of Manchester's busiest stretches of road, they say.

"It shouldn't be like this. There's traffic during the day, probably close to a mile, going down that way," Prestwich local AB Wreschner said, pointing towards Manchester.

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"No one is against the idea of them doing the roadworks but everyone is against taking advantage.

"At the end of the day this is a main artillery into the city centre. It's always busy, and a main road like this shouldn't have works taking 12 weeks," he told the M.EN.

Two petitions have been set up since the work started on Monday (January 17) - with 500 people having already signed the one on Change.org.

Locals have said they have had to wait 45 minutes in the traffic (MEN)

The works are for a 'new signalised junction to improve vehicle and pedestrian movement' - which is being installed at the meeting of Bury New Road, George Street and Kings Road in Prestwich.

AB told the M.E.N: "You just watch the roads, you can see people doing U-turns the whole time.

"When it comes to rush hour and people have been sat in it for 40 minutes, people keep jumping out their cars, screaming, kids cross the road during rush hour, in front of the parked vehicles when it's dark in the evenings.

"Cars are agitated, they're coming out here at speed because they've been sat there for so long.

"I think it's just not on."

AB works in a unit behind the parade of shops in Sedgley Park.

"I get deliveries a couple of times a day but they've all turned around and they said they can't.

"In the morning, when they usually come, they could be waiting 45 minutes to get in.

"I'm 100 per cent sure they've [local businesses] all seen a drop in trade over the last few days."

Michael Issler, who owns, JS on the Corner - which recently had to downsize due to the pandemic (MEN)

Michael Issler, who owns, JS on the Corner, told the M.E.N: "It's very annoying because people are trying to get here to fetch food. For delivery drivers, it's just impossible.

"I appreciate the job needs to be done. It's a very dangerous junction. They're finishing work at 3.30pm, 4pm, so there's no reason why it can't be done quicker and sooner.

"The jobs needs to be done, but on the other hand they need to take into consideration that all the shops here are losing business - as well as the traffic and the inconvenience.

"It's ridiculous. Yes, I know the job needs doing and that it's important to be done, but they've got to get more people on the job and done quicker and as soon as possible."

Anthony Geller, from Prima Insurance Brokers, has seen one benefit to come out of the roadworks.

"It's the first time in years I'm walking to work," he told the M.E.N

(MEN)

"I'm physically and mentally benefitting. It's really good. I think roads should be shut full stop," he said.

"I don't think it's as bad as people are making out. I'm happy to walk for 12 weeks."

However, he acknowledges that he doesn't have the task of taking his three children to school. His wife is now walking their four, seven and eight year old children to school to avoid the traffic.

"It's a bit of a disturbance," he said.

Anthony said he also feels sorry for 'businesses losing out'.

His wife told him that she won't be going into some shops that are difficult to get to because of the roadworks.

Bury Council put a notice up on its website for the roadworks.

A new signalised junction is being installed at the meeting of Bury New Road, George Street and Kings Road in Prestwich (MEN)

It said: "A new signalised junction to improve vehicle and pedestrian movement will be installed at the meeting of Bury New Road, George Street and Kings Road in Prestwich.

"Work will start on January 17, 2022 and last for 12 weeks, and when completed will include new controlled pedestrian crossings throughout the junction.

"The works are being funded by a private developer in conjunction with Bury Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

"The council apologises for any disruption caused but expects that the improved facilities will make the junction safer for its more vulnerable users."

Signs are up saying the 'junction improvement works' will take 10 weeks - but it could be 12 (MEN)

In addition, a spokesperson from the council told the M.E.N: "The work involves the signalisation of the junction of Bury New Road/George Street/Kings Road incorporating push button facilities for pedestrians.

"The project will take about 12 weeks to complete I believe. The work is being done by Aargyle Construction and UDP are the traffic management company.

"We have asked that the temporary signals are manned 7am to 7pm, longer working hours during the day and work to also take place over the weekend, to shorten the duration of the job."

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