Westhoughton railway bridge set to be demolished as concerns raised

Now the ward councillor is calling for improved signage and restrictions to be put in place to enhance safety around the area.

Cllr David Wilkinson has asked Bolton Council and the highways to implement measures as the bridge over the railway line on Old Lane is due to be demolished.

The bridge leads to Westhoughton Golf Club and will be replaced with a new bridge as part of the electrification project on the Lostock to Wigan line.

And now Cllr Wilkinson is asking for more signage to be implemented to slow down traffic near Old Lane and to prevent construction vehicles from being in the area during school pick up and drop off times on School Street.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “The signs went up on School Street, there’s a few of those big do not park signs and traffic cones on School Street and there are residential properties on that road.

The railway bridge to be demolished (Image: David Wilkinson)

“The road then carries on as a single lane track, it gets to Pennington Brook which is at the back of Westhoughton Cemetery and from that point it becomes a private driveway to the Golf Club although it has two definitive footpaths alongside it.

“And since the signs have gone up, I’ve had calls from residents who have said they are not happy about being told not to park in School Street and I’ve had people, a lot of people walk in the area, approach me with concerns.

“I have been to look at area following complaints from residents and walkers who use footpaths in the area.

“There are signs on School Street, probably not the best, but on Old Lane there is nothing no signage at all telling people to drive slowly or advising pedestrians that the bridge is being moved.

“There is nothing so you could walk along there thinking I’ll go to the golf club but actually there are lots of HGV’s going along there.

“I asked Bolton Council’s highways team that a safety plan be in place on Old Lane which is well used by walkers including people with dogs.

Signage and cones on School Street (Image: David Wilkinson)

“Vehicles are going too fast for the very tight conditions for passing people.

“And the diversion for the footpath  goes through a flooded footpath and is a couple of feet deep, you would need a boat to get through.

“So I’ve asked Bolton Council for a few things, a, that there should be no construction traffic during school pick up and drop off times.

" I’ve asked for better signage both on School Street and Old Lane requesting HGV traffic goes slow and better signage to say this is now a construction route.

“I want it to be safe, there are a lot of people who use the area.

“If you are using Old Lane, please take extra care because of construction traffic.”

The railway bridge is set to be pulled down and replaced as part of a £78m rail electrification project.