A1P (1) MAJOR HIGHWAY SCHEMES - A5225 ... - Wigan Council

Inspector’s Considerations and Conclusions
The effect on the achievement of a sustainable pattern of settlement
10.64 Policy A1P(1) provides that the LPA will safeguard the land required for the
A5225 Wigan and Hindley Bypass and will not permit any development which might
prejudice its construction. The reasoned justification informs that this road is regarded by
the LPA as a vital east-west link across the Borough. It is considered to be important for
the future economic competitiveness of the plan area because it is critical to achieving the
full potential of a number of significant employment sites. These include those at
Pemberton Colliery, Westwood Park, Wigan Pier Quarter, East and West of Leigh Road,
Gibfield and Parsonage. These, together, make up over 50% of the employment land
allocated in the RDD. They have the potential to provide over 9,000 new jobs.
10.65 By removing congestion on the existing road network it is intended to ease access
to a number of existing employment sites in the built-up areas of the Borough, promoting
the creation of jobs where they are most needed. By removing unsuitable traffic from
existing main roads it is intended to enable these routes to be more effectively used by the
sustainable transport modes of bus, cycling and walking. When linked to the
Westwood/Town Centre Link Road it would provide a direct route between Wigan Town
Centre and the M6 motorway, replacing the present convoluted routes through densely
built-up areas.
10.66 At FDD stage the reasoned justification referred to the possibility that the
proposed road might be extended northwards across the area of the Borough of Bolton to
the A6 road at Chequerbent. An objector argued that there was uncertainty over the
intentions of Bolton Council in this respect. The LPA agrees that the reference in the
reasoned justification was purely aspirational because it had no control over the
implementation of the road in the area of another local authority. It deleted the reference
to this at RDD stage.
10.67 PPS1 (paragraph 8) advises that certainty and predictability are key aspects of the
plan-led system. PPG12 (paragraph 6.24) advises that, in preparing their development
plans, LPAs should make adequate provision for development and infrastructure.
However, it is important that the provisions made are realistic and are likely to be
implemented in the period of the plan. Paragraph 6.25 advises that uncertainty of the
likelihood of projects proceeding can lead to perceived blight to property owners in the
vicinity. Paragraph 6.27 refers to the 1990 Act which requires LPAs to have regard to the
likely availability of resources when preparing the general policies and proposals of
UDPs.
10.68 Paragraphs 5.21 and 5.22 of that guidance note advise that UDPs should include
transport proposals of a non-strategic nature as they relate to the development patterns
proposed in the plan. The LPA regards the Wigan and Hindley Bypass as a non-strategic
scheme intended to serve the development patterns which would emerge from its
proposals to redevelop previously developed land in the urban area for employment in
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