LATEST: Liverpool Road works rescheduled as further leak extends Altcar Road closure
Planned roadworks on Liverpool Road are now being rescheduled to prevent them taking place while Altcar Road remains closed, after a further leak and additional damage were discovered during the ongoing United Utilities works.
There has finally been some clarification following a confusing day for motorists in Formby, which began with information indicating that Altcar Road would reopen this morning, Wednesday 9th September.
Formby Bubble had been informed that the works on Altcar Road had been completed and that the road would reopen from 9am today, possibly earlier.
Information available through Sefton Council also showed no current roadworks or restrictions on Altcar Road, giving every indication that the long running closure had finally come to an end.
Unfortunately, despite that information, the road did not reopen.
Formby Bubble immediately began checking the situation after it became clear that Altcar Road remained closed.
Later in the day, new signage appeared at Altcar Road stating that the closure would continue until 11th September.
We now have further clarification following information received by Formby Parish Council from Sefton Council.
Further leak and damage discovered
Sefton Council has confirmed that the United Utilities works on Altcar Road have overrun again.
A further leak has been discovered during the works, together with consequential damage which also requires repair.
This means the closure has once again had to be extended, with Altcar Road now expected to remain closed until Friday.
The latest information finally provides an explanation as to why the road was unable to reopen today as previously indicated.
Liverpool Road works will now be rescheduled
There is also an important update for residents concerned about the roadworks which had been scheduled to begin on Liverpool Road tomorrow, Thursday 10th September.
Earlier today, Formby Bubble reported that these works involved temporary traffic lights rather than a complete closure of Liverpool Road.
However, following the latest extension to the Altcar Road closure, we have now been informed that the planned Liverpool Road remedial works will be rescheduled.
Sefton Council had anticipated that the Altcar Road emergency works could potentially overrun and had advised the contractor responsible for the Liverpool Road works that they would need to reschedule should that happen.
As Altcar Road remains closed, those Liverpool Road works will therefore not go ahead as originally scheduled.
This should provide some reassurance for residents who were understandably concerned about further disruption on one of the main routes into and out of Formby while Altcar Road remains inaccessible.
Statement received following concerns
Formby Parish Council sought clarification from Sefton Council regarding the situation and has now received a response explaining the latest developments.
The response confirms that the emergency works on Altcar Road have overrun following the discovery of a further leak and consequential damage, and that the Liverpool Road works will be rescheduled to avoid conflicting with the continuing closure.
This latest information follows several changes to the expected completion date for the Altcar Road works.
A confusing day for Formby motorists
We completely understand the frustration and confusion residents have experienced today.
Formby Bubble reported this morning that Altcar Road was expected to reopen based upon the information we had been provided and the official information available at the time.
When it became apparent that the road had not reopened, we immediately began checking the situation and continued updating residents as further information became available.
We now know that additional problems have been discovered during the works which require further repairs.
The important position tonight is that Altcar Road remains closed, while the Liverpool Road works due to begin tomorrow are being rescheduled.
Formby Bubble will continue monitoring the situation and will update residents as soon as we receive confirmation that Altcar Road has actually reopened to traffic.
The Parish Council received the following response from Sefton Council;
The closure on Altcar Road was an emergency sewer repair being undertaken by United Utilities. The works were finally due to be completed today after a few extensions have already been granted, although they have unfortunately overrun and have now identified a further leak together with consequential damage that also requires repair. As a result, we have had to extend the closure again until Friday.
In anticipation of the possibility of the United Utilities works overrunning, we had already advised the contractor doing the proposed S278 remedial works on Liverpool Road that they would need to reschedule should the Altcar Road closure remain in place.
Due to the latest extension to the emergency works, that is now the case and the Liverpool Road works will be rescheduled to avoid the overlap.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Liverpool Road is expected to remain open during roadworks beginning tomorrow, with temporary traffic lights being used rather than a full road closure, while Altcar Road is now signed as remaining closed until 11th September.
It has been a confusing morning for motorists in Formby after information indicated that Altcar Road would finally reopen today, Wednesday 9th September.
Formby Bubble had been informed that the works on Altcar Road had been completed and that the road would reopen from 9am this morning, possibly earlier.
Information available through Sefton Council also showed no current roadworks or restrictions on Altcar Road, giving every indication that the long running closure had finally come to an end.
Unfortunately, despite that information, Altcar Road did not reopen.
Formby Bubble immediately began checking the situation after it became clear that the road remained closed.
There has now been a further development, with a sign on Altcar Road stating that the road is closed until 11th September.
This means motorists should continue to treat Altcar Road as closed until the restriction is physically removed and the road has reopened to traffic.
Liverpool Road is not due to close
Understandably, the continuing closure has caused concern because further roadworks are due to begin on Liverpool Road from tomorrow, Thursday 10th September.
However, the information currently available shows that Liverpool Road is not scheduled for a full road closure.
Two way temporary traffic lights are due to operate on Liverpool Road from 10th to 12th September while remedial works are carried out near 109 to 111 Liverpool Road.
Traffic should therefore still be able to use Liverpool Road, although motorists should allow additional time for possible delays while the temporary signals are operating.
Further works are also scheduled for Liverpool Road from 21st to 23rd September, when multi way temporary traffic lights are expected to be in operation for United Utilities works.
A confusing day for Formby motorists…
Formby Bubble appreciates that the conflicting information surrounding Altcar Road has been frustrating for residents.
We reported this morning that the road was expected to reopen based on the information provided to us and the information available at the time. As soon as it became apparent that Altcar Road had not reopened, we began updating residents and checking for further information.
The latest physical signage at Altcar Road now states that the closure continues until 11th September.
Meanwhile, motorists concerned about Liverpool Road can be reassured that the works currently listed for tomorrow involve temporary traffic lights, not the closure of Liverpool Road.
Formby Bubble will continue monitoring both roads and will update residents as soon as there are any further changes.
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