IN response to letters regarding the overnight closures of St Peter’s Way, I would like to clarify the situation.

The road was opened 1967 and there are no existing records of how it was built. Therefore we have to start from scratch and collate a comprehensive civil engineering database for the road. The closures have been organised for a month, to allow for losing time due to potential adverse weather conditions and just in case additional invasive survey work may be required. If the work is completed in less than a month, the closures will cease immediately.

The last few years have seen major works on some bridges and some “local” patching of the road surface.

More recently Network Rail has been working on the Farnworth tunnel project and caused some disruption providing an access route into and out of the site compound. Lane closures have now been forced up the Authority during this week, whilst the boring machine passes beneath St Peters Way

The road hasn’t had any major re-surfacing or carriageway structural maintenance carried out on it since the road opened 40+ years ago. The design life of the top surface is 10 – 15 years.

It is virtually impossible for an experienced person even with a “trained eye”, to detect and assess the condition of the road surface. This is particularly so when driven in a vehicle at speeds of 50 MPH. Detailed inspections will be carried out, to identified what major action is needed to prevent very costly piecemeal patching and regular closures to maintain a high speed running surface.

As the major access gateway into the Borough it is vitally important that the economic cost of the road being restricted or closed on regular basis is considered in the assessment of whether work is required.

Some correspondents have suggested that the £7.3 million would be better spent on potholes in local streets and is a complete waste of money. We are extremely fortunate to have a dedicated Highway team who have collated a successful bid. The money has come from a successful one-off bid to Central Government to carry out this scheme only. It cannot be used for other schemes. This is in addition to other funding already received for maintenance. The bid was successful because of the recognition of the critical condition of a road that is the economic lifeline into the Borough and the consequences of repairing it in a costly piecemeal and a longer term disruptive manner.

Not only is St Peters Way an important arterial highway into and out of Bolton, it should also be recognised that this road also provides a vital link to and from north Lancashire onto the motorway network.

When complete Bolton will have a road fit for the 21st century.

Councillor David Chadwick

Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Community Services

Bolton MBC