Altcar Road closure extended into September after works overrun original dates

Motorists are continuing to face disruption on one of the main routes into Formby after the closure of Altcar Road was extended, with the road still completely closed and works now scheduled to continue into September.

The United Utilities works were originally advertised to begin on Monday 10 August and finish on Friday 21 August, meaning the road was initially expected to reopen more than a week ago.

However, the closure did not begin as originally planned.

Altcar Road remained open on 10 August and was only completely closed to through traffic on Friday 14 August.

The dates were subsequently changed, initially showing the works from 13 August until 21 August.

Now, the latest roadworks information shows another significant change.

The United Utilities road closure is currently listed as running from 13 August until 11.59pm on Friday 4 September, meaning the works have been extended by two weeks beyond the original 21 August completion date.

Road remains completely closed so this means traffic jams at Liverpool Road and Southport Road to get into or out of Formby.

The closure remains in force around the Glenmarsh Way area, preventing motorists from using Altcar Road as a through route between Formby and the A565 Formby Bypass.

Drivers cannot travel through along Altcar Road from the bypass into Formby, while motorists travelling in the opposite direction cannot use the road as their normal route towards the bypass and Tesco.

The latest information lists the works as “in progress”, with a full road closure in force at all times.

The work is being carried out on behalf of United Utilities Water and is classified as utility repair and maintenance works.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order is required for the closure and the permit has been granted by Sefton Council as the highway authority.

Emergency access will continue to be maintained throughout the closure and there is no footway closure listed.

Original reopening date has now passed

When the works were first announced, residents were advised that Altcar Road would be closed from 10 August until 21 August.

That meant motorists could reasonably have expected the road to be back open by Saturday 22 August.

Instead, the road remains closed as we head towards the end of August and the current scheduled completion date is now Friday 4 September.

United Utilities does not publish a detailed description of the work through the roadworks information service, so there is currently no further explanation listed there for the extended closure.

The latest information confirms:

Original advertised dates: 10 August to 21 August

Road actually completely closed: 14 August

Original expected reopening: 22 August

Latest closure dates: 13 August to 4 September

Current status: Work in progress

Traffic management: Full road closure

Contractor: United Utilities Water

Emergency access: Maintained at all times

The continuing closure is particularly significant because Altcar Road is one of the main routes connecting Formby with the bypass and its loss as a through route means motorists need to use alternative roads.

Anyone travelling in or out of Formby should continue to allow additional time for their journey.

The current information indicates that the closure will remain in place until 11.59pm on Friday 4 September, although roadworks dates can change depending on progress.

We will continue to keep residents updated if the road reopens earlier or if the closure is extended again.