Runcorn traffic boost as key Mersey Gateway roadworks switch to overnight and weekend working
The off-peak roadworks for the Mersey Gateway Project that have been causing traffic delays along the Weston Point Expressway and around the M56 Junction 12 in Runcorn will reduce from today.
The current phase of work in this area, which is essential as part of the highway improvements to allow traffic to access the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, will now be done overnight and at weekends instead.
This has been made possible by Halton Borough Council approving a change in Merseylink’s permitted working hours in the area.
Local residents in the immediate area have already been informed about the proposed change, and the new operating hours will start from 7pm on Monday 12 January.
Richard Walker, Project Director for Merseylink, said: “Hopefully this is good news for drivers using the busy Weston Point Expressway route during the week. We will need to reintroduce off-peak daytime working at this site in the future as the type of work we need to do in the area changes, but this switch will allow us to make our essential improvements and make it easier for local people to get around Runcorn.”
He added: “The safety of drivers, pedestrians and our workers is our number one priority, but we are constantly reviewing how we work to see how we can minimise disruption. We are confident that we can safely operate overnight and at weekends for the current phase of work, which should last between six and twelve weeks.”
Overnight work in the area to start on Monday 12 January
Merseylink will be starting overnight and weekend work around the M56 Junction 12 and along the Weston Point Expressway this Monday (12 January) following approval from Halton Borough Council.
The overnight work in the area will be able to start each week night at 7pm and run through to 5am the following morning before work finishes for the day and the roads in this area are fully opened ahead of the morning rush hour.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the roadworks will remain in place through until 5pm in the afternoon before they are cleared overnight on Sunday
Weekend working hours are 7am to 5pm on Saturday and 8am – 5pm on Sunday.
Daytime off-peak works at Weston Point Expressway to reduce
This has allowed the team to stop the off-peak daytime work in the area, which will relieve the pressure on traffic using the Weston Point Expressway in particular.
The current daytime off-peak lane closures in the Weston Point Expressway area will be suspended for two to three months whilst this phase of work is completed.