At last, roadworks have finally finished!

YEAR-LONG REGENT ROAD PROJECT RUNS OVER BY TWO MONTHS – BUT DRIVERS’ MISERY IS NOW AT AN END

THE major roadworks on Regent Road – which links Salford and Manchester city centre – are finally finished.

The 12-month project should have been completed in August but bad weather – and a change in contractor – caused a delay. Four junctions have been redesigned. The £51m scheme has created pedestrianised crossings at all junctions and improved cycle access.

Extra lanes have also been added to each of the junctions. Council bosses say journey times have already significantly improved along the route.

The improved junctions include Dawson Street, Regent Road, Trinity Way and Water Street, Regent Road and Ordsall Lane, Regent Road and Oldfield Street and Mancunian Way, the A56 and the A5607 roundabout.

The roadworks have caused widespread disruption for motorists since they began in summer last year. Long tailbacks along the cone-lined road have been a familiar sight. The project faced a major set-back in March, when former lead contractor, Dawnus, went into administration.

Workers downed tools in protest at not being paid, leaving diggers blocking the road during the chaos.

John Sisk & Son Ltd replaced them around two weeks later

Coun Angeliki Stogia, from Manchester council, said: “A big thank you to our residents as well as all road users for their patience while we completed this major project.

“Although disruption is inevitable during improvement schemes of this size, the project will deliver a real improvement for drivers, and pedestrians.”

Coun Roger Jones, from Salford council, said: “The roadworks are now complete, which is fantastic. We understand a lot of people had to suffer while the roadworks took place but it is important we maximise the capacity of our roads for the longterm.”