A PROJECT to carry out major improvements to the East Lancashire Road has been completed more than three times quicker than expected.

A 5km stretch of the eastbound section from the Greyhound Island in Leigh to Chaddock Lane in Tyldesley, amounting to 29,000 square metres of road surface, was upgraded in four nights.

It was originally scheduled to take two weeks to finish. The higher quality of the new, more durable surface has been designed to “future-proof” the road and reduce maintenance costs in the long-term.

Fifty per cent more material that was forecast in the scheme’s original schedule was laid.

An innovative new cold milling machine from Tarmac’s road planing contractor, NRP, which can remove one lane in a single pass, was used.

General manager at Tarmac, Mike McAndrew, said: “It has been really rewarding to work collaboratively with the highways teams at Wigan Council on this project.

“This is a great example of highways expertise and the latest innovative technologies combining to significantly minimise disruption for local road users.”

Planed out material was transported to a Tarmac asphalt plant for recycling as well as future use.

Cllr Carl Sweeney, cabinet member for environment at the council, said: “It’s great news for residents that the work was completed quickly and efficiently.

“The highways network is the backbone of Wigan borough’s economy and we recognise the importance of maintaining its infrastructure to a high standard.”