Northern Powerhouse transport boost as Highways England outlines £300m roads scheme

Two road schemes worth over £300m are set to slash congestion and reduce journey times for drivers in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Following public consultations held earlier this year, Highways England revealed its preferred options for upgrades to a key route to the Port of Liverpool and the creation of a new junction on the M56 near Runcorn.

An investment of £250m will create a three-mile dual carriageway between the Liverpool City Region’s motorway network and its port to steer freight away from residential areas on the A5036, identified England’s 10th most congested road.

The new £60m 11a junction on the M56, meanwhile, will serve as a link to the Mersey Gateway bridge being constructed between Runcorn and Widnes.

It is hoped the work will boost the Northern Powerhouse by enhancing transport connectivity and reliability.

Detailed designs for the projects will now be developed, with construction due to begin in 2020.

The route of the new three-mile dual carriageway

Tim Gamon, Highways England’s regional delivery director for the North West, said: “Both these major road schemes will help to bring significant economic benefits to the North West and we’re now at the stage where we can set out our preferred options for the projects.

“The new bypass will take the existing traffic away from the A5036 as well as managing the significant increase in vehicle numbers that are anticipated with the port’s growth. We’re also committed to making improvements to the existing A5036 as part of the scheme that will benefit people who live and work in the area.”

He added: “The new junction on the M56 will also benefit local residents by taking traffic away from residential areas as well as providing a new route to the Mersey Gateway bridge – an important new link between Cheshire and Merseyside.”

Funding for the schemes is being provided through the Government’s £15bn Road Investment Strategy.