Barbara is calling for Greater Manchester and Salford transport bosses to lessen the impacts of the Leigh Guided Busway project on commuters by launching the ‘Limit Busway Chaos’ campaign.

The campaign launch follows many months of travel chaos for residents, businesses and commuters driving or travelling by bus on the East Lancs Road and adjoining roads in Boothstown, Ellenbrook, Walkden and Worsley. Drivers have been enduring significantly longer journey times in the area since the beginning of the construction of the Leigh Guided Busway in April 2014.

Barbara has been working with local residents to put pressure on Transport for Greater Manchester and Urban Vision to reduce the impacts that the project has been having on local people.

Barbara said:

“I have never supported the construction of the Leigh Guided Busway. Local people are now enduring the consequences of the construction phase of this unwanted scheme. I have had hundreds of people get in touch with me about the issues that the scheme is causing to them. Many parents are finding it very difficult to get their children to school on time. In some cases, families have to pay extra for childcare or have children stay with grandparents so they can get to school on time. People also tell me they are fearful for their jobs because they are so often late for work.

“I am launching this campaign because Transport for Greater Manchester is simply not listening on these issues.

“I would ask them to start putting local residents first and to implement my action plan which includes steps such as an independent review of the scheme and  publishing a detailed timetable showing what works are being done when. Actions like this would help improve the lives of people living, working and commuting in this area.”

Barbara’s campaign is backed by local residents including David Burns and Joan Mather.

David Burns said:

“Every day I am affected by the road works. There has been a huge increase in traffic. It doesn’t look like anyone has really thought this through. We need joined up coordinated and sensible action so residents can endure the construction of this roadway. I hope Transport for Greater Manchester and Urban Vision will now sit up and listen to our local MP and to residents.”

Joan Mather added:

“It’s becoming more and more difficult to plan your day – there’s no way now of knowing what time you will actually arrive at your destination if you have to go through the affected area. It’s time for Transport for Greater Manchester and Urban Vision to listen to what local people have been telling them for months. It’s absolute chaos out here and they need to help sort it out.”

A copy of Barbara’s action plan is below.

Barbara is calling for Transport for Greater Manchester to:

– Commission an independent review of the whole project. There needs to be a much better understanding of the impact that parts of the road works are having on traffic flow
– Publish a detailed timetable showing what works are to be done when. Then people will at least be aware of when the worst delays will occur
– Make better use of social media such as a dedicated twitter account to keep people informed quickly
– Put in place an incentives/penalties scheme so that the contractor has to carry out the work on time
– Ensure better coordination with other road works on the alternative routes such as the A6, M60 and M62