A BUSY junction has reopened following works aimed at making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

The scheme on the junction of St Peter’s Way and Bridgeman Place was first announced in November 2020 as part of Bolton Council’s £1.8m town centre upgrade plan, aimed at making the borough’s highways safer.

Now with works set for finishing touches next week, the road is once again open for motorists and includes a raft of new features all of which are indented to make the route safer.

Cllr Stuart Haslam, highways cabinet member, said: “I am very pleased the work to the St Peter’s Way, Bridgeman Place junction is now complete. Safety is our top priority and, as part of this work, the council has installed new traffic signals, pedestrian facilities and segregated cycle lanes.

“I would like to thank all road users and pedestrians for their patience whilst the work has been undertaken. The result is that we have been able to improve traffic flow for drivers and made this junction much safer for everyone using it.”

This will also be a much-needed boost for road users, as their way into Bolton have been hindered for several months thanks to the works The improvement is the third phase of a four-part masterplan for borough’s roads which begain in 2020 and should end in early 2022.

This plan will see two cycle optimised protected signals junctions installed at Manchester Road, Bradshawgate and Trinity Street and at Newport Street and Trinity Street.

Phase one of the scheme was completed in May 2020 and involved work at Crompton Way. The second phase was undertaken on Newport Street and was completed last December.

Now with the St Peter’s Way and Bridgeman Place improvements almost done, the fourth and final phase, on Bradshawgate, should begin at the start of 2022.

Funding has been provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority with the latest phase given the green light by the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership Board. Together the authorities hope to see the borough’s roads become both safer.

Cllr Haslam said: “Road safety for all road users, pedestrians, motorists and cyclists, is the most important element of this scheme.”

Richard Nickson, TfGM’s Programme Director for Cycling and Walking said, “It’s really exciting to see another significant piece of cycling and walking infrastructure open in Bolton.

“Thanks to this scheme, which drastically improves the safety of those who want to use the junction, cycling and walking is becoming a much more pleasant experience for local residents and visitors to Bolton.

“We want to build on this momentum as we continue to develop cycling infrastructure across the region, with a new cycling route linking Bolton town centre to the train station also due to complete soon.

“All of these projects are helping to create the largest cycling and walking network in the UK – the Bee Network.

"Our goal is to make Greater Manchester a welcoming place for people to walk, cycle or scoot, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”