M6 - M58 comments archive

As an update, according to the Highways Agency, they will be installing part-time traffic lights to 'reduce congestion'.

Although the original plans to send the M58 motorway east were scrapped, a new A-road [A5225] will shortly be built which will be a bypass to eventually link this junction to the M61 at junction 5, however this road will simply link on to the eastern roundabout of the already "underpowered" interchange. Plans for this can be seen with picture entitled "M6 junction 26 to Billinge Road" here (GIF file).

This is a dangerous junction because all the angles are quite steep. I have done the route onto the M58 from the M6 from the south, and that is quite a shock in itself, but from the M6 north it's very cumbersome, and is made potentially lethal by the steepness of the slip roads.

I like this junction because it's stately and impressive, has an interesting shape on the map, but mostly because it does its job - lets traffic move safely from point to point. Fast swaps encourage thoughtlessness, slower ones require careful attention. Finally, it's good for M58 E to W U-turns, as needed when the exit to Skem has been missed.

This junction going from the M6 southbound onto the M58 is a complete nightmare, with queues back up the M6 every day, which is both frustrating and dangerous. What is even more frustrating is that part time traffic lights have been installed, which solve all the problems when they are working. Unfortunately, for some reason, whoever is responsible for this junction seems unable to keep the lights working, despite the fact that all around the country traffic lights work perfectly well all day, every day.

When they are off, the problems are even worse, as people like me who used to go a different way before the lights were installed, now use the junction, and the queues often go back past junction 27.

You mention the traffic levels not being high enough to warrant any 'fix'. I disagree, this junction causes daily tailbacks on the M6. Southbound traffic leaving to join the M58 queues in the nearside lane of the M6 - causing a bottleneck! Why is it acceptable for the country's quietest motorway to cause such delays on the M6 - a major motorway, I'm sure you'll agree.

I've used this junction for neary 5 years and over that time they have installed traffic lights, which to be honest hasn't really improved it much.

The biggest issue really is with the road that branches off towards the A577, all the traffic backs up there. I don't know why but traffic is always worse at this junction on Tuesdays!

Part time traffic signals? They are never on! But this junction is a complete sham. There are massive queues on the A577, nearly every day, and they have nearly made me late for work in Wigan more times than I can remember. I only hope that when (or if) the A5225 constuction works start that something is done about that junction, because the surrounding area will grind to a halt if not.

Surely the worst aspect is joining the M6 northbound. There is insufficient time to integrate, given the poor sight lines and the slip road cannot be lengthened due to the built up area and expensive retaining wall. I avoid it.