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Rivington Chase link road delayed again
A land lease expired in May, stalling the final section near Middlebrook and leaving opening dates uncertain.
A vital link road near Horwich stalls as a land lease ends, threatening opening dates and the wider Brownfield development.
Rivington Chase link road delayed again after land deal expires
The two-kilometre spine road at Rivington Chase was due to open in 2021 and was backed by a Homes England grant. Costs rose from about £12 million to near £19 million as Covid and inflation slowed construction, and the five-year lease granted to Novo Blue Mantle (NBM) has now expired in May 2025. The road’s final section near Middlebrook has reverted to its previous owners, and access has been blocked while insurers require a new land licence or a purchase to continue work.
A section near the former Horwich Locomotive Works remains fenced off, and a leaseholder source says the process will require lawyers and may force a compulsory purchase if council involvement occurs. Bolton Council and NBM stress the project is still alive with ongoing dialogue to reach a resolution, but no firm opening date has been offered. The road is meant to ease congestion around Chorley New Road and Beehive Roundabout and to unlock housing and other development on the wider Horwich site.
Key Takeaways
"It's lackadaisical beyond belief"
Source close to landowners criticizing pace
"Rivington Chase is a large and complex brownfield development site with significant challenges in terms of planning, remediation and multiple ownerships"
NBM director remarks on project complexity
"Delays, construction challenges and technicalities associated with legal agreements are inevitable in a development of this size"
Bolton Council spokesperson on delays
"We are engaged in ongoing dialogue with the leaseholder to reach a resolution over adoption"
NBM update on talks
The delay exposes how multi-party ownership and land rights can derail infrastructure on large brownfield sites. It also highlights the fragility of public funding when lease terms and land licenses intersect with ambitious construction timelines. If unresolved, the setback could ripple into local traffic planning, housing delivery, and public trust in future public-private ventures. The case underscores the need for clearer milestones and faster decision-making in complex urban developments.
Highlights
- It's lackadaisical beyond belief
- A land deal delay costs more than money
- Brownfield growth hinges on clear ownership now
- Horwich residents deserve concrete milestones not delays
Delays threaten public funds and local transport plans
The expired five-year lease and ownership changes create legal and financial risks that could push back the opening of the link road and affect congestion relief for Horwich and surrounding areas. If unresolved, it may force costly alternatives or political intervention.
The road project tests how well a region can coordinate across agencies and owners when growth is at stake.
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