Residents slam bid for roundabout near Westhoughton estate

RESIDENTS have voiced concerns over a housing developer’s plans to build a roundabout in Westhoughton as part of plans for more than 1,000 homes near Hulton Park Estate.

Neighbours have been told Peel L&P Ltd plan to build a new roundabout on the A6 Manchester Road approaching Chequerbent Roundabout, as part of planned investment in the area.

Cllr David Wilkinson, Westhoughton South ward member, said: “We need to wait until the final plans are submitted later this year to see where we’re at. We have not seen any detailed plans from Peel. But they would need to get permission from Highways England to build this new roundabout.

“I think the main problem many residents have in Westhoughton are concerns about the new homes bringing more traffic and putting pressure on local services.”

Concerned resident Chris Mills said: “What help will a roundabout be when the roads being fed are all still backed up? It needs a linkway, Wigan bypass, roundabout and God knows what else to accommodate thousands more cars. That’s before you head a few miles up to Wingates and throw all the impending HGV in the mix.”

Carole Dawson added: “I’m more concerned GPs will be desperately needed for this area with all these extra houses going up. With a current three-week average wait to consult a doctor with non-urgent health issues I dread to think how long I will be waiting when all these houses are built.”

Richard Knight, Peel L&P’s director of land and communities, said: “The roundabout would be part of the proposed Park Avenue that formed part of the recent public consultation. It would help relieve congestion on Chequerbent Roundabout and surrounding roads, providing better capacity, safety and resilience in the local highway network.

“The detailed proposals will include plans for the proposed roundabout and the whole length of the new Park Avenue, along with a transport assessment that considers in full the impact of the proposals on the area.

“The revised Hulton Park proposals will be the subject of a planning application to Bolton Council shortly. The application will include all the land at Hulton Park and Lee Hall/Chequerbent but instead of the total potential capacity of 2,700 homes, we will be making an application to build fewer than 1,300 homes, representing a major shift between development and green space.”

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