Riley Green interchange, view west, 12 December 1997

Riley Green interchange, view west (see all photos of the same view)

Riley Green Interchange was surprisingly difficult and complex to build; the phasing of works around live traffic meant that it's only in the previous three months that the side of the roundabout nearest the camera has been surfaced and brought into use. Grass has yet to grow on the middle of the roundabout, indicating just how recently the earthworks were finished.

Date
12 December 1997 (see all photos from this date)
Direction of view
West
Structures visible

Structure 20/20a (Riley Green interchange bridges)

Roads visible

A674 Chorley Road

A675 Bolton Road

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