LAST week I had an experience of what the East Lancs Road will be like when the guided busway is opened.

I spent a day in Swinton and I decided to come home to Astley via the East Lancs Road.

I joined it at Moorside Road, Swinton, and from the slip road onto the motorway to the Ellenbrook Road junction.

On parts of the East Lancs Road the inside lane on both sides were fenced off.

This was the case from the Walkden Road junction to Ellenbrook where a long length either side was fenced off.

It was rush hour and it was here I came across a massive traffic jam.

The total journey took three times what it used to. This is the exact way this road will be when the busway is opened, the only difference is the fences will be removed.

There will be further delays when the buses which are travelling in the Liverpool direction on the East Lancs Road have to cross all the traffic to get into Ellenbrook Road.

There is a new housing estate nearly finished in Astley and another one has been given planning permission.

This means there will be a massive increase in traffic in the Astley and Tyldesley area.

I forecast that when the busway is opened, Astley and Tyldesley will become gridlocked.

I have no objection to the busway being built on the railway line as I will not be able to use it as I am disabled.

I am lucky enough to still be able to drive but I will then have to spend most of my time in traffic jams.

Andy Burnham has been a supporter of the Guided Busway.

I think now he should do something for the people who voted him in and tell the powers that be to have another look at the East Lancs Road.

Brian Seddon

Astley