Westhoughton: Traffic light changes on Wigan Road junction

Traffic signals at the junction of Wigan Road and Wearish Lane in Westhoughton are to be set after concerns were raised about congestion.

Councillors and residents say that they have found that when trying to turn right into Wigan Road, traffic on it can block off the Wearish Lane turning.

Ward councillors voted to implement the changes this week.

Cllr Chadwick said: "At the junction, you get traffic coming from Westhoughton town centre and travelling from Wigan to the town centre.

Cllr David Chadwick at the Wigan Road/Wearish Lane junction (Image: Public)

"If you are in the right hand lane on Wearish Lane turning towards Westhoughton town centre, you are blocked by traffic on Wigan Road coming from Wigan direction, and you can't turn right.

"I have spoken to highways asking if we can change the priorities to clear traffic turning right onto Wearish Lane from Wigan Road first, to avoid blocking of traffic heading towards Westhoughton caused by queuing traffic.

"They have come back and said yes. They will need to tweak the software and put cables down which synchronise with the lights and sense when vehicles are travelling over them."

He added: "We approved it at the Members Only Meeting.

The junction (Image: Google Maps)

"I don't know how quickly it is going to go, but it is a bit of good news for the community.

"People have complained to me before to say that this is a bit daft and why don't we change the priorities so that traffic clears out of the way and through traffic can flow better." 

This comes as roadworks are set to cause delays further up Wigan Road in Westhoughton later this month.

Starting on October 28, the gas works will prohibit all traffic from proceeding on Wigan Road from Market Street to Cricketers Way.

Whilst the closure is in place there will be an alternate route via Mill Street.