People are leaving a Salford neighbourhood because congested roads have become so bad, a councillor has claimed.
Bob Clarke, leader of Salford Conservatives, said the roads around Boothstown and Ellenbrook are often heaving with traffic, which also causes issues with public transport.
He believes the issue is not being taken seriously by transport bosses.
In January, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it was reviewing routes in Salford, Wigan, Leigh and Bolton.
Coun Clarke said the congestion problems extend to junction 13 at Worsley roundabout by the M60, which is a Salford council roundabout.
“Public transport issues in our part of the city are not being taken seriously,” he said.
“They just think providing the V1 bus was the panacea to everything, but we can’t get on it.
“The issue with junction 13, it has been raised at higher levels, but I don’t think National Highways are taking it seriously, it really needs sorting because that side of the city is completely chock-a-block, you need one thing to happen and nobody can get to work.”
He claimed there is growing frustration in the local community about the situation, with some looking to ditch the area altogether.
“The problem we have is people are moving out of Boothstown and Ellenbrook now because they can’t get to work, and most of these people are high earners who are leaving. People are fed up with it, they just can’t get out [when the traffic is bad].
“The tram needs to go out there, it’s the best reliable transport, they’re easy to get on and whiz around on it.”
The traffic issues came up in April during a council meeting about plans to build hundreds of homes at Hazelhurst Farm.
The scheme was approved by councillors, but local residents said after the meeting that traffic issues were at risk of ‘destroying’ the community.
Nicole Marston, a Worsley resident, said at the time: “I have my journey into the office which is on the other side of Manchester, I have to queue from Worsley Road near Drywood Avenue, all the way to Worsley roundabout, and that again can take half an hour when there’s delays.”
Salford Labour Party, which runs Salford council, said it has worked with TfGM on public transport improvements for residents across the city.
It highlighted a £10m investment for Salford Central station, £21m at Salford Crescent station to build a third platform and improve passenger flows and reduce delays, and upgrades at Irlam station.
A spokesperson said: “We’ve invested over £50m to improve active travel over the past 10 years, including the significant ongoing works to transform the area around Chapel Street.
“Since our buses were taken into public control through the Bee Network by our Labour metro mayor Andy Burnham, fares have been cut, buses have been upgraded, passenger numbers are up 14 per cent and punctuality is up almost 20 per cent.
“Salford was a key beneficiary of the Bee Network’s initial night bus services, with both the V1 and the 36 now running 24 hours a day, benefitting shift workers and our night-time economy.
“We’re also lobbying to extend the Metrolink to our publicly owned Community Stadium, and to link the Crescent area with the Quays, improving connectivity across the city. And we’re working with the Combined Authority and National Highways – who recently attended the Bee Network Advisory Committee – to discuss priority areas for highways improvements in Salford.”
A National Highways spokesperson said: “We are aware of congestion at junction 13 affecting the local authority roundabout and are working closely with partners to explore possible future options.”
TfGM and Salford council were approached for comment.
