JUST as the furore has died down after thousands of pavements were ripped apart , a new round of disruption is expected in Leigh and Atherton.

Householders face two months of frustration and anger as a subsidiary of the Nation Grid, called Energis, starts laying new high-technology cables through both areas, linking Girobank offices in Bolton, Wigan and Bootle.

And there is nothing the council can do about the problem!

Councillors are dismayed at the new scheme which starts at the end of the month and is expected to last until the end of November because Energis have been given the status of 'statutory undertaker', which means the council has no say in the work going ahead.

John Simm, Borough Engineer, said: "There will be some inevitable disruption caused by significant digging up of the roads along the route. We understand that 10 or 12 gangs will be employed, each gang completing a length of 300 metres a week."

And Cllr Neil Turner, Chairman of the Highways and Works Committee, commented: "It is fair to say that many members regard this news with considerable concern. While I have no doubt that the work is necessary, no-one is looking forward to a further period of disruption on top of the problems caused by Cable TV works.

"I must stress that this work has NOT been given permission by the council. The company concerned has the legal right to do the work without reference to us. Our staff will do their best to ensure the contractor causes as little disruption as possible, and we will monitor the reinstatements as far as we are allowed."

The roads affected by the scheme include Bolton Road, Hag Fold, Wigan Road, Atherleigh Way and Westbourne Avenue, in Atherton, and Westleigh Lane and Nel Pan Lane in Leigh.

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