PLANS to close a major through road in Tyldesley for 18 weeks to allow work on the Leigh guided busway to take place are to be reconsidered by transport chiefs.

It follows a meeting yesterday, Monday, during which officials in charge of the busway construction were told that closing Astley Street for more than four months next year was unacceptable to the public already struggling with traffic disruption.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and contractor Balfour Beatty have agreed to look again at their plans for work in Tyldesley.

The road will still be closed 'for some time' while the busway is built, however transport bosses say they are committed to reducing the full closure of Astley Street and to look at further options to limit the impact of the work in the area.

As reported in last week's Journal, the meeting was called by councillors and MP Andy Burnham in response to feedback from the public concerned at the level of congestion busway work has been causing in Tyldesley, Astley, and Leigh.

Clr Jo Platt said: “As a Tyldesley resident myself, I’m well aware of the problems in the area as I’ve experienced them first-hand.

"I think residents will put up with a certain amount of congestion but what’s been happening lately has just been unacceptable.

“Thankfully, I am pleased to report those in charge of the scheme recognise this and I’m confident we can work together to reduce congestion and minimise disruption."

A series of measures have already been announced to minimise disruption in the affected areas and a public meeting is also being arranged to take place in Tyldesley next month – the details of which are yet to be confirmed – in order for people to raise their concerns with those in charge of the project.

Details about the meeting will be announced in coming weeks as will confirmation of the new arrangements for construction work on Astley Street.

A series of measures have already been announced to minimise disruption in the affected areas, but TfGM and Balfour Beatty said will look at alternative options to see if work on the road can be done with less impact locally.

Peter Boulton, head of programme management services at TfGM, said: “While we want to get the busway built as quickly as possible so people can start using their new services, we want to do this with the least disruption possible to residents.

“We were happy to get the thoughts of locally elected representatives as to which of the options we had developed would be the best for the community and will announce news plans in coming weeks.”

Representatives from Urban Vision, which coordinates local traffic management on behalf of Salford Council and its contractor Galliford Try, also attended the meeting.

TfGM, Salford Council and Wigan Council have agreed to improve the coordination of roadworks and the communication of information regarding busway work.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham said: “It is clear there’s now an understanding that everything must be done to ensure the situation over the last few weeks in the east of Wigan Borough doesn’t continue.

“I’m pleased Wigan Council, TfGM and Balfour Beatty have agreed that Astley Street cannot be closed for 18 weeks and are going to look at different options. Such a long closure of such a major road would have been intolerable for my constituents after the traffic disruption they have been experiencing in recent months.

“We’re making progress but I know there’s more work to be done. I’m hopeful that in time for a public meeting in November we’ll have something to offer the public in terms of tangible improvements.”

Residents with questions about the work can now email wiganbuswayworks@wigan.gov.uk.