Residents and businesses in Atherton, Leigh and Tyldesley are being asked for their views on proposals to help provide faster, more frequent and more reliable bus links between the town centre areas and Manchester city centre as part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s busway project.

The busway project includes a 4.5 mile guided section between Leigh and Ellenbrook, which will enable specially-adapted buses to avoid other traffic entirely. On the remainder of the routes, bus priority measures will be put in place to help improve passenger journey times and service reliability.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Wigan Council are keen to hear people’s views on the plans for improving the flow of public transport through Atherton, Leigh and Tyldesley and will be writing to local people with full details of the consultation, which begins on Friday 7 September and continues until Friday 5 October.

Full details of the proposals, and of forthcoming public consultation events, can be found at www.tfgm.com/buspriority, along with an online consultation response form.

People can also give their views by email, phone or letter, or they can come along to one of the public consultation events to ask questions and discuss the proposals face-to-face with TfGM and Wigan Council.

As well as suggested changes to traffic flows, the proposals include improved designated crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, new bus stops and improved landscaping.

Peter Boulton, Head of Programme Management Services at TfGM, said: “The changes we’re proposing will help public transport through Atherton, Leigh and Tyldesley flow more efficiently and will improve access to the busway route for many passengers.

“This will ultimately deliver better, faster and more reliable bus journeys for passengers. There will be at least four services per hour between the Atherton and Leigh stops and Manchester city centre and the Oxford Road area, meaning that Tyldesley will have a minimum of eight buses an hour.

“This will also support the businesses and commercial centres in Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton, making it easier and more convenient for people to reach these areas.

“We’re keen to hear what people think of the proposals. All feedback is welcome and will be taken into account when the details of the scheme are finalised – so now is the time to have your say.”

Lord Smith, leader of Wigan Council, said: “This is a busway for the people of Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley, providing them with the potential to make the most of many local opportunities.”

Once the consultation is complete, TfGM will consider the responses and finalise its plans. If approved by Wigan Council, work will begin in Atherton, Leigh and Tyldesley next year along with the construction of the guided part of the busway between Leigh and Ellenbrook.

The Atherton, Leigh and Tyldesley works are scheduled for completion in 2013/2014, with the busway as a whole due to be finished in 2015.​