Road Projects

M62 Junction 6 Improvements

The scheme will improve the busy junction 6 of the M62 by adding two direct connections, one from the M57 southbound to the M62 eastbound and the other from M62 westbound to the M57 northbound. This traffic will no longer need to use the present junction roundabout, thus reducing congestion and delays significantly and improving road safety.

The work on the junction improvements is progressing very well and the new link roads are planned to be open in Autumn 08.    For more information on the scheme please go to the Highways Agency website.  An information leaflet is also available on this scheme.

Bidston Moss Viaduct

Bidston Moss Viaduct plays a critical role in the strategic road network for the North West. It comprises a central Viaduct which carries the M53 motorway, Kingsway Wallasey Tunnel approach road and two side Viaducts carrying the A5139 Docks Links over a major junction and railway line, connecting Birkenhead Docks, Twelve Quays Ferry Terminal and Liverpool City Centre to the national road network.

Ownership and responsibility for the viaduct is shared between the Highways Agency, Wirral Council and Mersey Tunnels. The structure is currently subject to weight restrictions following inspections and assessments, which revealed structural deficiencies. Due to the complexities of the project, considerable assessment and justification has preceded the submission of a Business Case to the Department for Transport to carry out improvement works to return the structure to its full operational capacity.

Discussions are ongoing with the Government Office for the North West and, subject to funding approval, the partners anticipate strengthening works to commence towards 2009.   
 

Thornton to Switch Island Link

The proposed Thornton to Switch Island Link scheme consists of the provision of a new single carriageway highway link between the A565 Southport Road, Thornton and the M57, M58, A59 and A5036 Switch Island junction, bypassing the local communities of Netherton and Thornton. There has been a problem with traffic congestion at peak times on the Northern Perimeter Road, Lydiate Lane and Green Lane in the areas of Netherton and Thornton for many years. This affects the quality of life of the local community living along these roads, as well as having wider economic and environmental impacts due to the importance of this corridor in terms of access to the Port of Liverpool and access to Southport.

The current stage in the development of the Thornton to Switch Island Link project is to prepare the formal Business Case required by the Department for Transport. A detailed business case was submitted at the start of December 07 to the Department for Transport.  For more information go to the Sefton Council website.

The Mersey Gateway Project

The Mersey Gateway is a £390 million project that would provide a new bridge over the River Mersey between the town of Runcorn and Widnes. The project includes modifications to the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge to improve facilities for public  transport, walking and cycling. In order to pay for the project the bridges will need to be tolled. The exact toll has not yet been decided but it it likely this will be in line with the Mersey Tunnel Tolls. For more information on the crossing visit the Mersey Gateway Website.

Hall Lane

Hall Lane is one of the major gateways to the City Centre and a key link road from the M62. We are planning a scheme to improve access and reduce the delays that drivers currently face on their way to the City Centre. The £12.2m Hall Lane improvement scheme is aimed at ridding the city of one of its most notorious bottlenecks and improving the gateway routes from Edge Lane to the city centre.
The scheme involves:

• The building of a new link between Edge Lane and Islington to improve the gateway route into the city centre from the M62
• A large new traffic signal controlled junction near the present junction of West Derby Street and Minshull Street
• The removal of through traffic from Towerlands Street and Hall Lane which would carry local traffic only. This would eliminate a major bottleneck
• Improvements to the local road network in the area
• Kensington Fields will be improved through the introduction of the linear park along the reduced highway on Hall Lane
• Improved pedestrian and cycling facilities

Off line work is expected to commence in September 2008 with works affecting traffic flows due to commence in January 2009 and continue throughout 2009. Traffic management will be implemented to facilitate traffic flows and reduce impact to traffic flows. These works are currently programmed to be complete in February 2010.

Edge Lane

Edge Lane is the main link road between the M62 and Liverpool City Centre. Our planned improvements to this route will reduce traffic congestion and contribute to the regeneration of the area. They will also help to give visitors a more positive image of the city. The scheme is split into three parts.

The Edge Lane West - From Botanic Road to Hall Lane. This scheme will improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as improving access to new developments. The public enquiry for this scheme took place in February 2008 and the Inspector's report is expected in June 2008. If successful, the works will commence on site in January 2009 and are expected to be complete by the end of 2009.

Edge Lane Central - the existing dual carriageway sections of Edge Lane to the east of Edge Lane West. This scheme will provide access to new retail, housing, leisure, business and light industrial sites. The works on this phase of the scheme are now complete.

Edge Lane Drive - up to the City Council Borough Boundary. The final part of the scheme has seen environmental improvements to Edge Lane Drive and was completed in September 2007.

For more information on Edge Lane go to Liverpool Land Development Company's dedicated Edge Lane website.