Wigan set for £2.1m cycling infrastructure upgrade

Plans are set to be revealed for the creation of five new cycle routes around Wigan.

Wigan Council secured £2.1m from the Department for Transport Cycle City Ambition Grant to bolster cycling infrastructure on routes between the town centre and its neighbouring communities.

The authority is calling on residents and businesses to have their say on the proposed routes, before work gets underway later this year.

The work will be delivered in two phases to minimise disruption. It is proposed that phase one encompass Robin Park Road, Warrington Road and the Wallgate/Queen Street junction, while phase two will cover Saddle junction and Pemberton cycleway.

Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, David Molyneux, said of the plan: “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy, create jobs, attract investment and build strong, healthy communities through Wigan Works.

“It’s about ensuring the right connections are in place to support our plans for growth. We need to make sure local people are connected to local opportunities and our town centres are thriving.”

He added: “The plans are still in their design stages so I’d encourage people, whether you’re a keen cyclist or not, to have a look at the routes and tell us what you think.”

A drop-in session to gather local views on the routes will be held at Newtown Working Men’s Club on July 18, from 2.00pm to 7.00pm.

The project is due for completion by Summer 2018.