IMPROVEMENTS to traffic flow and congestion have been identified as the most important issues for residents in Golborne and Lowton.

Earlier this year, the council launched a survey asking for residents’ views on how to spend £8.6m, which needs to be used on specific schemes to mitigate the impacts of housebuilding in the area.

A list of viable options was presented aimed at improving traffic flow, cycling and walking facilities, parking and community spaces.

Now the thousands of comments have been collated, the local authority can reveal the outcomes.

Aidan Thatcher, assistant director for growth and housing at Wigan Council, said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone for their cooperation and patience while our teams analysed the terrific number of responses we received as part of the engagement exercise.

“We’ve now got access to rich local insights that will be incredibly useful in guiding the next stage of investment.

“It’s really important that we spend this money in partnership with the community, so we’ve already met with ward councillors and local community groups to share the results of the survey and keep them informed.”

Receiving a mixed response from the public, the local authority’s preferred options in relation to the highway were to:

• Create a new left turn from A580 to Newton Road (southbound)

• Widen Stone Cross Lane to create three lanes with the installation of an additional right turn lane.

Around 19 per cent of respondents said that Newton Road should be the priority project and 16 per cent said it should be Stone Cross Lane.

Another project put forward was changing the Golborne roundabout to a traffic signalled junction. Thirty-one per cent of respondents rated this as the most important highways project.

Mr Thatcher added: “Traffic modelling work shows that Newton Road and Stone Cross Lane have the greatest benefit in relation to congestion in the area, however, the alternative options provided also received support, which we will take into consideration.

“We also acknowledge the community aspiration for a bypass near to the East Lancashire Road, however, this would require funding that supersedes what we currently have access to and would require significant approvals from neighbouring authorities.”

Respondents also expressed support for community projects, including upgrades to the facilities at St. Mary’s Hall and Golborne Library.

Of the cycling projects put forward, almost 38 per cent of responses said that upgrades to the existing public rights of way network adjacent to the Rothwell’s Farm development site was the most important, closely followed by improved footway provision at Slag Lane.

All three open space and play schemes received overall support and 32 per cent of respondents were happy with suggested improvements to the Bank Street and Railway Road car parks.

Mr Thatcher added: “Open engagement with our communities is key to delivering projects tailored to local need.

“Now we’ve consolidated the feedback, the projects will go through the council’s governance process to determine which ones will be funded.

“Choices will be made based on which schemes will lead to the best mitigation of housebuilding impact, while also considering the important comments put forward.

“Design and costs will also need to be finalised, meaning there will be scheme specific consultations at a later date.”

Some of the funds have already been committed to various education related projects, including expanding Golborne High School to cater for additional capacity.

Wigan Council will update stakeholder groups and the wider public as the projects progress and when decisions are made.