Member Article

Leading civil engineering firm invests £2m in Wigan economy during link road project

A civil engineering company tasked with constructing a major new link road in Wigan has reinvested £2m into the local economy during the life of the project.

Since being appointed to deliver the A49 scheme by Wigan Council in June 2018, Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has worked with businesses across the area and has most recently has taken delivery of five new Nissan trucks.

The link road, which will relieve congestion in the town, will connect Warrington Road in Goose Green to Westwood Way, Chapel Lane junction and the town centre.

Alan Manuel, Jones Bros senior works manager for the A49 project, instigated the deal with Chorley Nissan.

He said: “All our trucks were up for renewal and it’s the after-service care we receive that made us go for these models.

“We’ve had brilliant service in the past from Nissan and spending money locally is in keeping with the Jones Bros ethos of investing in the communities where we are working.”

Among the companies Jones Bros has engaged are Midi Photography, Paul Blackledge Drilling, TCS Geotechnics Unit and ducting and drainage specialists K-Pipe.

Mark Perry, K-Pipe managing director, said receiving the order from the civil engineering firm was a boost for his company.

He said: “We’re only a small company so sometimes it can be difficult to attract the larger companies to us.

“Wigan Council put us in touch with Jones Bros which was a big help to us.”

Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Moylneux said: “Seeking opportunities to support the local economy was a key stipulation when we commissioned Jones Bros for this project.

“It’s really important that we use local companies and contractors where possible in order to give them the opportunity to work on projects that will ultimately benefit them and the wider community.

“It’s great to hear about the range of businesses Jones Bros have engaged with – the fact they place an importance on social values is one that resonates with us.

“Once complete next year, the link road will give people better access to jobs and will provide much better east-west connectivity for residents, commuters and investors.”

The scheme has been made possible through funding support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Growth Deal pot, which is managed by Transport for Greater Manchester.

Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros is now being run by the second and third generations of the founding family and employs more than 400 people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .