WEEKS OF MISERY AHEAD FOR COMMUTERS AS SWINTON ROADWORKS ARE SET TO RUMBLE ON

Bus routes have been diverted, commuters have been spending hours sat in traffic and some people have even given up attempting to get to work and instead have just called in sick, "Sick to death of roadworks." said one disgruntled and very unhappy driver we spoke to.

According to Bus Service Operators TfGM and Diamond Busses the works have caused extremely long delays and they have had to abandon some stops and divert the route which is not good for passengers trying to get too and from work.

The issue which is causing all of the problems is a major gas replacement work which is scheduled to continue in the area for at least another 10 weeks. The roadworks are located at a busy crossroads close to the Civic Centre and the Church Inn Pub.

Councillors have been involved and have done their best to resolve the situation and to be fair the company carrying out the work have made changes to the timings of the temporary traffic signals - but alas, the problem still persists.

We took a drive along there this morning just after what is considered to be rush hour to see for ourselves and it still took us approximately a three quarters of an hour to do a journey which should realistically just take a few minutes.

Revised bus routes are now in operation this morning in the hope of alleviating the problem for at least a few, with motorists being advised to avoid the area and take alternative routes - something not so easy when you live in the area and can not avoid it.

Jerry who delivers around the area told us:

Quote

 

"I just want to get from A to B without having to divert through all of the other letters of the alphabet.

"What the hell they were thinking to be doing this right now is beyond me.

"I will be glad when it is all over as even if I take the East Lancs the delays on there are just as bad.

" I need to get to clifton and from tomorrow I am going to have to travel the opposite direction up through Farnworth and Kearsley.

"It is F*****g ridiculous."

 

2 Bolton - Trafford Centre:  This service appears to be running without significant delays, but will be continued to be monitored.

27 Swinton - Manchester Shudehill: Service will be re-routed to omit Wellington Road, Swinton Hall Road, Station Road in Swinton. The service will operate along Chorley Road to Swinton Civic Centre and then turn left onto Partington Lane then Worsley Road, Eccles Road.

29 Little Hulton - Pendleton:  No changes to this service at the moment, the service will be monitored and further changes made if required.

36/37/X39: Bolton/Farnworth - Manchester:  It is not possible to divert these services without taking a very long detour from the usual route, which would miss out a large number of stops. Instead, our controllers will be monitoring services and managing frequencies via GPS tracking. During the morning peak period, a Diamond Inspector will be based in Swinton assisting with service regulation.

66 Eccles - Clifton:  This service will operate only between Eccles and Swinton Civic Centre. Passengers at Clifton are advised to use service 73. Note, the first two journeys (on weekdays)   at 0640 and 0735 will still start at Clifton.

73 Salford Quays - Clifton:  This service will only operate between Clifton and Ordsall Phoebe Street, Salford Quays will not be served. Passengers at Salford Quays to use service 50 or 79 to Salford Shopping Centre to connect onto service 73.

79 (Clifton) - Swinton - Stretford: Service will be re-routed to omit Wellington Road, Swinton Hall Road, Station Road in Swinton. The service will operate along Chorley Road to Swinton Civic Centre and then turn left onto Partington Lane then Worsley Road, Manchester Road.

Changes to 27 and 79 will take effect from next month stating on the 17th February.