Multi-million pound deal to complete ‘rewilding’ of former opencast mine site
Restoration of green oasis near motorway can now come to fruition
15:02, 22 May 2025
Sandyforth Green Gateway
Plans to return part of Wigan scarred by years of opencast mining to nature have taken a major step forward following a multi-million pound deal between the town's council and National Highways.
Work to complete the Sandyforth Green Gateway, which sits alongside the northbound M6 at Bryn between junction 25a and junction 26, can now be completed.
The GBP260 million motorway upgrade was fully-opened to traffic in December.
This was after the Smart Motorway Alliance Programme's (SMP Programme) partner Costaine added an extra lane as well as new technology and emergency areas in both directions along the M6 between Warrington and Wigan[1].
In an agreement funded by National Highways and Wigan council, with support from City of Trees, Sandyforth will become part of the Wigan Greenheart with a 30-year plan to bring it back to life.
Sandyforth Green GatewayArticle continues below
National Highways is contributing GBP2m to support the stewardship of the site for years to come.
As well as helping to 'rewild' the old opencast site, work can now forge ahead to complete the creation of new wetlands, grassland and areas of woodland. Alongside new wildlife habitats the site will also be open to visitors with a network of informal footpaths set to be delivered.
Wigan council's cabinet portfolio holder for environment Coun Paul Prescot said: "We are intensely proud of our Greenheart which makes up around two thirds of our borough. Working with National Highways and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Sandyforth in Bryn will be a stepping stone for native wildlife, and a haven for local people to enjoy.
"It is also great for our planet; rewetting the grasslands will ensure that carbon stores are kept locked up from directly entering back into our atmosphere, helping the environment and specialised wildlife is given the chance to once again thrive."
Sandyforth Green Gateway
National Highways senior project manager Dave Cooke said: "National Highways is committed to reducing the impact of our motorways and major A roads on the environment and communities they serve.
Article continues below"For those of us on the M6 project supporting initiatives like the Sandyforth Green Gateway is a real opportunity to deliver a lasting legacy and support local aspirations for a greener borough and enhanced outdoor leisure facilities."
The M6 upgrade started in February 2021.
Eventually the site, which also borders local Winstanley Road, will be screened from the motorway by some 20,000 trees already planted through the separate City of Trees initiative - a different partnership between Wigan Council and Greater Manchester's community forest charity.
The National Highways funding will allow Wigan council, working alongside Lancashire Wildlife Trust, to finish the job and open up the site to local people and other visitors.