Drivers have been warned to expect delays
18:45, 01 Sep 2026Updated 19:24, 01 Sep 2026
Astley Street in Tyldesley is closed as work is carried out on new Leigh Guided Busway travel hub(Image: Manchester Evening News)
One of Tyldesley’s busiest roads has shut completely for two weeks as works are carried out on a new travel hub.
Drivers have been warned to expect delays as Astley Street is closed in both directions close to Leigh Guided Busway until the middle of September. Traffic has already been widely impacted with delays along Hough Lane and other nearby roads.
Buses are still running along the route as the closure is to ‘allow essential utility works as part of the new Tyldesley travel hub, which will add an extra 99 parking bays at the site, aiming to address concerns from residents and local traders about on-street parking in the town centre.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
A letter from Transport for Greater Manchester to residents living nearby said: “As part of the next phase of construction, Astley Street will be closed to vehicles immediately north of the guided busway from August 31 to September 14.”
The existing park and ride facility remains open and bus services are running as usual, but there are concerns about the disruption the road closure is causing and questions over why it’s happening on the week children return to school for the new academic year.
Astley Street is closed for a fortnight(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Councillor James Fish shared his concerns in a post on social media, which says: “I have made it clear that I am not happy with these works or the timing of this closure, particularly as it runs into the start of the new school term, when our local roads will already be considerably busier.
“I have questioned why these works could not have been undertaken during the school summer holidays, which would have helped reduce the impact on residents, parents and those travelling to and from local schools.
“I have also requested that the traffic lights at the top of Astley Street are switched off to help maintain a continuous flow of traffic during the closure, while ensuring the pedestrian crossing remains fully operational and safe.”
The Tyldesley and Mosley Common councillor said he has requested an urgent meeting with both Transport for Greater Manchester and Wigan Council over what he believes are ‘unnecessary’ roadworks and ‘the impact they are having and will continue to have on local residents’.
“Residents deserve proper consideration when works of this scale are planned, particularly when several projects and road closures are already causing disruption across Tyldesley,” he said. “I will continue to raise these concerns and push for measures to minimise the disruption.”
The hub will triple the capacity of park and ride facilities for the increasing number of people using the V buses, with new electric vehicle (EV) chargers, cycle storage and parcel lockers also being installed at the Astley Street stop.
CCTV and lighting will also be fitted to increase passenger safety, while a new office for busway staff means they will have more of a presence at the site.
Leigh Guided Busway launched almost a decade ago(Image: Copyright Unknown)
The busway, which was launched almost a decade ago, is estimated to have reduced the number of car journeys by more than 600,000 a year since 2017, with up to 25% of its passengers having switched to travelling by bus.
Since the launch of the Bee Network in 2023, which saw more V1 services introduced, the bus route has experienced a 13.8% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers.
TfGM says it’s part of its approach to make travel by public transport ‘more attractive’ and reduce the use of cars. Another travel hub is planned in Hindley.
When work on the travel hub first began back in March, Leigh and Atherton MP Jo Platt said: “Improving public transport connectivity, access and reducing congestion has always been a priority for me, and this project marks a major step forward.
“The threefold increase in park and ride capacity will improve access to public transport, make journeys more convenient, and encourage more people to choose sustainable travel.
“This investment in infrastructure will not only reduce congestion on our roads but also strengthen Tyldesley town centre – easing local parking pressures, attracting more visitors and boosting footfall, all of which will support our fantastic local businesses. I’m proud to back this project and look forward to seeing the construction progress.”
‘Essential utility works’ are being carried out on the new travel hub(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Councillor Paul Prescott, portfolio holder for planning, environmental services, and transport at Wigan Council, said: “Tyldesley Travel Hub is a significant development as it will not only encourage more usage of public transport – a major aim of the council – it will also help to reduce on street parking in and around Tyldesley town centre.
“Tyldesley and its businesses have seen great benefits from the Guided Busway in recent years, and after listening to residents’ concerns, the travel hub’s increased parking bays will help the town centre become a safer and more accessible place to work, shop, and visit.”
Responding to criticism over the closure, a TfGM spokesperson said: “The temporary closure of Astley Street is needed to safely carry out essential works on the new Tyldesley Travel Hub, which will make it easier for people to access the Bee Network and travel more sustainably.
“The new hub will provide more than three times the current park and ride capacity, alongside electric vehicle charging points, cycle parking, improved lighting and CCTV. We have carefully planned the works and are doing everything we can to minimise disruption while this work is carried out.”