Plans to make improvements to a proposed key link road in Wigan have been revealed.
Wigan Council has submitted plans to make changes to the long-awaited project which would link the M58 and M6 and the town centre.
The M58 link road was initially given the green light in 2018 and it was initially hoped that the work would be finished by 2021.
Under the proposals, the link road would join the M58 at the western end of Leopold Street, bypassing the busy A577 before connecting to Billinge Road, near Pemberton railway station, and on to Pemberton Business Park.
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However, the project has had to be delayed due to design 'complexities' relating to a bridge near the railway station.
Network Rail, which owns the bridge, expressed concerns about the bridge's capability to accommodate increased traffic, without substantial refurbishment, which would cause significant disruption.
To resolve the issue, Wigan council intends to create a new junction in Billinge Road, near to the railway station, and create a new bridge crossing the Kirby branch rail line.
The council says the scheme would 'minimise long-term disruption and improve traffic flow'.
Aidan Thatcher, interim director of economy and skills at Wigan Council said: “There’s no question that the existing plans would have led to large-scale disruption and possible 12-month road closures of Billinge Road, which will be minimised if the current plans secure approval."
He added: “Once complete, the link road will significantly improve connectivity both in and out of the borough, in turn creating new opportunities for housing and development."
The M58 project will join on to the A49 link road, which was completed last year.
The previous design also prohibited a right turn from the Smithy Brook Road side of the link road onto Billinge Road and a short section of Enfield Street was to be made one way.
The proposed improvements will allow motorists to travel in all directions and Enfield Street will continue to accommodate two-way traffic, council chiefs say.
