The debate over the need for a new road linking Wigan and Bolton has been ongoing since the end of World War II. Despite the construction of the M6 and M61 motorways, the secondary roads between the two towns remain congested, causing anger and frustration among residents and business owners.

Josh Simons, MP for Makerfield and Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, recently reignited hopes by pledging to push for government funding in 2026 for the long-awaited link road. In a video posted on social media, he reminded viewers that the road had first been promised in 1949, but has repeatedly been canceled, shelved, broken up, or delayed. His commitment is clear: “I will not rest until the M6-M61 link road is built in full.”

Currently, a partial section of this road exists in Goose Green (Wigan), in the form of a dual carriageway (Westwood Way), but it ends abruptly, forcing traffic into Wigan’s already congested town center.

Testimonies from locals confirm the urgency of the situation. Nichola Hulbert, a beauty clinic owner, said it sometimes took her up to 40 minutes to travel less than two kilometers to her salon. Her husband, Fab Equizi, observes daily bumper-to-bumper traffic at Chequerbent roundabout from his treatment room window. Business owners, parents, and even elderly residents in mobility scooters express their daily frustration.

In Wigan, the situation is equally dire. Workers complain about the growing number of housing developments without any improvement in road infrastructure. “Sometimes it takes an hour to travel just a couple of miles,” says a carpenter from Goose Green.

As public frustration grows, the ball is now in the UK government's court. The decision in 2026 could finally bring relief. For the people of Wigan and Bolton, this road is no longer a luxury—it’s a vital necessity.