The work, replacing old pipes in Lowton and Golborne first began in 2007 as part of United Utilities’ multi-billion-pound project for the whole region.

Like Standish, the two towns have been affected by closures and traffic light-induced jams over the years.

But as excavations began on Slag Lane yesterday, bosses announced that the end of the disruption was very much in sight.

A total of £4.6m has been spent on laying more than 40 miles of pipes in Golborne and Lowton alone and the initiative is now said to be only three weeks from its conclusion.

It is part of the water company’s £2.9bn water quality and environmental improvement programme for 2005 to 2010, which has seen engineers replacing the old pipes with modern plastic ones to improve water quality, reinforce the overall reliability of the network and reduce the risk of leakage.

Most of Wigan borough has now undergone the work.