RESIDENTS have won their battle for a lorry-free country lane.

People power has paid off for the persistent Lane Head Residents' Group which has never given up its quest to stop heavy goods vehicles using Winwick Lane, Lowton, as a short cut to and from the M6.

Working in partnership with councillors, Wigan Council engineers and Leigh MP Andy Burnham, they have lobbied long and hard for a ban.

Now the group is celebrating news from the Highways Agency that the government department agrees with the move to prevent the use of HGVs on the A579 and signs are to be installed on the M6 at junction 22. It is hoped additional signs will be put up on the A580 East Lancashire Road.

Delighted group members Gill Dickinson and Fiona Whistlecroft said they were thrilled their battle has been worthwhile.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham said: "It has been a long, hard fight and I am really pleased the residents have won. I am in total sympathy with their views and have attended meetings since I was elected two years ago.

"They have run a good campaign and this should be an encouragement to other groups."

Lynne Liptrot, Lowton Councillor and Wigan Council Cabinet member for the environment, said: "They have pushed long and hard for this and we, as their elected representatives, have been keen to support them all the way. It is clearly and example of people power paying off."