Thornton relief road - MP reveals when new road will open

Work to finish the delayed scheme will see contractors working through the night with a number of road closures over the coming weeks.

Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson says fingers crossed, at last the relief road looks like it is finally going to open after meeting up with the project manager.

Bill Esterson MP was told about the remaining work and the impact it will have on people living near by when he met the site manager and project manager for Broom’s Cross Road.

Contractors Atkins and Balfour Beatty are hoping to have the road finally ready in August and Bill Esterson was told by Gordon Cowan of Atkins and Balfour Beatty’s Andrew Leech that to finish the work would mean some night time working and road closures over the coming weeks.

Once complete the new £17million road is expcted to cut journey times for the 25,000 people who commute between Sefton and Liverpool every day, as well as making life less polluted for residents living in the Thornton and Netherton areas.

Mr Cowan and Mr Leech told Mr Esterson that the contractors have also written to residents nearby and details of traffic delays can be found on the Sefton Council website.

The MP was then shown how the junction between Brickwall Lane and the new road will work with traffic signals and two lanes of traffic to minimise delays.

Bill Esterson MP said: “Thank you to Gordon Cowan and Andrew Leech for taking the time to tell me about the remaining work. The road has been a long time in the planning and has taken longer to finish than was hoped. But we are nearly there and I wanted to be able to answer the questions that many people ask me about the relief road.

“The delays have been frustrating for residents and for contractors alike and I understand are the result of the challenges of dealing with the water and ground conditions.

“Nearby roads have faced delays and Brickwall Lane will need some night time closures so look out for the signs or go on the Sefton website. But in a few weeks time, the work will be finished and the new Broom’s Cross Road will be open.

“This should help improve journey times, hopefully to the benefit of our economy with savings to businesses from the time saved. And there have been local firms involved on some of the sub contract work as well as local people being employed by the contractors, something that was written into the contract for the road.

“The road has been discussed for many, many years. Some residents tell me that it was first mentioned 80 years ago. And I also found out that Fr O’Leary put St Joseph medals in the grounds of Jospice back in the 1970s to try to stop the M57 being extended.

“At the time Fr O’Leary had his wish granted whether as the result of divine intervention or because of government cuts, we shall never know. But it was ironic that Jospice held a sponsored walk on the new road a few weeks ago, an event that was very well attended.

“Whatever the history, the road will be open soon and the residents who have lobbied hard, along with the parish and borough councillors over the year have finally succeeded and I would congratulate everyone who played their part.

“I hope that the people of Sefton benefit in the longer term from having the road and that it contributes toward improvements in prosperity for the people of this area.”

Photo above: Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson with Atkins site manager Gordon Cowan and Balfour Beatty project manager Andy Leech.

Story and Photo source: Southport Visiter