The proposal for a new road to act as a relief road in the town centre was made by a developer, who intended to finance the road by a new supermarket to the west of Bryn Street. However, the Council had given the developer a deadline of May 2004 to submit a formal planning application, and had also requested that they consult with local people regarding their proposals. The Wigan Observer this week reported that as the developer had done neither the Council had withdrawn their approval for the proposed plan.

It looks like Ashton is stuck with traffic problems for the immediate future, as the proposed relief road would have removed the present bottleneck of the A49/A58 junction. I'm not sure how another road plan will be financed unless another developer submits plans for the site, which so far is scheduled in the Unitary Development Plan for retail development.

- David -

Town: david@ashton-in-makerfield.org.uk