Cllr Iain Lindley’s Diary

This afternoon I attended a very useful meeting with representatives from United Utilities about the proposed impact of the East-West Link Water Pipeline. This is a new aqueduct from Knowsley to Bury and will run through the local area if planning permission is granted later this year.

Local residents in the vicinity of the proposed route will already have received letters from United Utilities informing them of the proposals. As featured in the local press, Ellesmere Golf Club will be affected and I understand that UU is working with the club to build temporary holes during the process so that 18-hole-golf can continue. The proposed route is well away from any dwellings or buildings so they should not be affected. My main concern relates to traffic and the potential for disruption during construction work. This involves three areas in Walkden:

1. A580 East Lancashire Road. The pipeline crosses the A580 around the junction with Walkden Road, but I understand that this will be done by tunnel and will not require a road closure. However, there may be a lane closure eastbound somewhere between Walkden Road and the M60 at some point for construction work.
2. Old Clough Lane. The pipeline crosses Old Clough Lane at the southern end adjacent to the junction with the A580. Old Clough Lane may need to be closed to allow this work to be completed – UU suggest a maximum of two weeks for this work. This will cause significant disruption for residents and would involve the re-routing of the 31 bus away from the Birch Road estate during the duration of the work.
3. A6 Manchester Road. The pipeline crosses the A6 at Linnyshaw and this has the potential to cause heavy disruption. The current likely plan is to cross the A6 using an open trench with one lane available at a time and temporary traffic lights would control the traffic flow. The A6 is a major route through Walkden and Swinton and the lane closure could cause absolute chaos. It also affects two high-frequency bus routes in the 36 and 37. I’ve asked UU to contact First Bus and GMPTE.

If any local residents have any queries they’d like me to take to United Utilities please let me know!

I must say finally that I am very impressed with the proactive approach that UU are taking to public consultation – something that Salford’s Labour Council would do well to match.