RESIDENTS have hailed a “victory for common sense” after Network Rail confirmed it is postponing a controversial roadworks project in Blackrod.

The rail organisation began work to rebuild a railway bridge in Grimeford Lane last week as part of preparations for the electrification of the rail network in the region.

The subsequent road closure, which coincided with another closure for similar work at Station Road in Blackrod — had already lead to traffic chaos in the area, with motorists complaining of hours of gridlock.

Network Rail has now decided to postpone the Grimeford Lane project and said it will reopen the road fully by the end of next week.

Local residents will then be consulted on any prospective dates when the work can take place.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “The decision has been taken to postpone the work on Grimeford Lane, taking into account a number of factors including the impact on the local roads and the schedule of work to be completed.

“We have been working with Lancashire County Council and Bolton Council during this time and the road will now reopened by the end of next week.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

The news has been warmly welcomed by local residents, including 40-year-old mum of one Heather Wolstenholme, who had been caught up in the chaos while taking her four-year-old daughter from her Horwich home to a nursery in Blackrod.

She said: “I was so frustrated — after just a couple of days of the roadworks it was having a huge effect on me and my family.

“People were sat in their cars for hours and I even saw children having to go to the toilet at the roadside — it was just chaotic.

“I think common sense has definitely prevailed and I am massively relieved — power to the people I say, because otherwise we were looking at months of misery."

“I don’t know who thought suggested that this work could be carried out at the same time as Station Road — but its clearly important to listen to local people’s concerns.”

Horwich and Blackrod Ward Councillors had warned about the potential pitfalls of closing both roads at the same time.

Cllr Stephen Pickup said: “We had requested that Station Road and Grimeford Lane be closed separately to limit the effect on residents, as had originally been the plan. Following the additional closure of Grimeford Lane last week, traffic congestion in Horwich and Blackrod had multiplied.

“Network Rail is to be commended for reopening Grimeford Lane & delaying the work on this bridge.”