De Havilland Way: Crucial decision on Bolton junction bid made

The works will see Bolton Council bid for around £23million of ‘Levelling Up’ funds for new traffic light systems on roundabouts on De Havilland Way with signalled junctions on the Beehive and Spirit of Sport Roundabouts, the A6 De Havilland Way Roundabout and at the M61 Junction 6.

The plans had proven contentious but Bolton Council leader Cllr Martyn Cox confirmed that following meetings this Wednesday the authority decided that they would be in the best interests of the borough by improving traffic flows in the area, with Bolton West MP Chris Green backing the move.

He said: “We won backing on it as a campaign team at the last election as a campaign team and the Labour group are supportive of it as well.

“If you campaign on these things, it really is important that you see them through.”

He added that he expects that the development will ease congestion through a much more efficient use of the road span.

Cllr Cox said: “But ultimately, the Department of Transport will check it and if they think the scheme won’t work then they won’t back it.”

This follows on from a series of public consultations and public meetings in with both supporters and opponents of the scheme voiced their opinions.

Cllr Cox says that the consultation found that support for the two scenes was split between 43 per cent and 42 per cent but opponents say they fear that the plan may not improve congestion and could mean that a long hoped for Junction 7 on the M61 is not pursued.

Cllr David Grant, interim leader of the Horwich and Blackrod Independents, said: “Ultimately, we’re disappointed, it seems the people of Horwich and Blackrod have not been listened to about our concerns.

“It seems and extortionate amount of money to be spending on a scheme which saves just eight minutes at peak time but at off peak times could actually add to travel times.”

The bid will now go forward to be considered by central government.