TRAFFIC in Leigh and Atherton town centres will be placed under temporary management measures as work on the guided busway steps up.

Preparatory work for improvements to the town centre will get under way next week as part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s bus priority scheme.

Temporary measures and diversions will be in place from Monday, January 13, until spring after which the main improvement works will start in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley town centres. All works are due for completion in late 2014.

Peter Boulton, head of Programme Management Services for TfGM, said: “As part of the bus priority package we’re working with Wigan Council to make changes that will benefit all road users in town centres along the western end of the route, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

“The first stage gets under way soon with utility diversion works and we’re writing to people to keep them up-to-date and let them know how to find out more information.

“Work is forging ahead with the guided busway and the A580 sections of the route and – subject to finalising the contract – we look forward to announcing details about who will operate busway services in the coming months.”

Detailed information about the disruption is available at www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Parking-Roads-Travel/Roads/Roadworks-bulletin.aspx.

More information about the busway – and the wider bus priority package – can be found at www.tfgm.com/buspriority or by calling 0300 123 1177.