Multimillion pound works on a major new “spine road” aimed at reducing traffic jams should be finished “in a few months’ time”, an MP says.
The road is being built as part of the Horwich Loco Works development project, which will build more than 1,000 new homes on the site of Chorley New Road.
The completed road will aim to cut traffic on Chorley New Road and on the Beehive roundabout.
Speaking from the site, Bolton West MP Chris Green said: “It’s great to see the continuing work going on with the Horwich Loco Works spine road.
“You can see the diggers and trucks and even the pile driver busily working away just coming out by the police station here in Horwich.
“So, we’re looking forward to when this is going to be completed in a few months’ time.”
Mr Green said he was aware traffic along the route “frustrates” drivers on their daily commutes and that he looked forward to seeing pressure reduced.
Horwich Loco Works had once been a renowned engineering manufacturing and engineering site going back to the 19th century until its closure in 1983.
A foundry was still on the site until 2004 but since then it has become the focus for new housing developments.
The current phase of the scheme was approved in October 2021.
Mr Green says that £12million was granted by the government for the spine road after a visit from the secretary of state.
Cllr David Grant, of Horwich South and Blackrod, says that his party in its former guise as a community group had invited Mr Green and Sajid Javid to see the site for themselves.
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He said that Mr Javid then agreed to fund the link road after the visit.
Cllr Grant said: “Obviously it’s a vital part of the regeneration of the area and it will alleviate some of the traffic on the road.”
He added: “But we have to be careful, if its traditional type shops that end up setting up along the link road then that will complement the town centre in Horwich.
“But if its going to be bigger companies and major retailers then that could end up taking away from the town centre which is really not what we want.”
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