Collaborative roadworks in Wigan reduce traffic disruption by six weeks

Gas mains and cable replacement works were co-ordinated into a single programme of roadworks to save weeks of disruption for Wigan residents.

Cadent and Wigan Council’s highways department have completed their first collaborative streetworks project.

Carried out by PGL Pipelines and Pegasus Utilities, the single project saved six weeks of disruption for people in and around Goose Green, as well as reducing carbon emissions.

The work on Warrington Road and Little Lane included replacing more than 1,300 metres of gas pipeline with new, more durable pipe that supports the transition to cleaner, greener gases, like biomenthane.

With the work now complete, the traffic management measures needed to carry it out safely have been removed.

Coun Paul Kenny, Wigan Council’s portfolio holder for planning, environmental services and transport, said: It's encouraging to see innovative approaches being used to deliver this work in our borough.

By adopting modern construction techniques and collaborative planning, the project has been completed more efficiently, helping to reduce disruption for residents and road users whilst ensuring essential infrastructure improvements are delivered effectively.

The works were carefully scheduled during the summer to help minimise disruption as much as possible and will help to maintain a safe and reliable gas network for the future.

I'd like to thank residents, businesses, and road users for their patience and understanding while these essential gas maintenance works were carried out over the summer holidays.

Both Cadent and Wigan Council are delivering major long‑term investment across the area and are already looking at further projects to work together on.

This forms part of Cadent’s five-year programme to upgrade more than 2,000 kilometres of pipes in the North West, with 21,000 metres scheduled for replacement across Wigan in 2026 alone.

Lucy Sterry, head of work management for Cadent (North West), said: Combining two major upgrades into one set of roadworks is a big step forward for how we plan our essential gas mains upgrades.

Where it is possible, and where we can safely co-ordinate, we are working closely with utility partners and councils to find opportunities to join up our activity. It means less digging, fewer teams on site, less disruption for residents and a lower overall carbon impact.