WARRINGTON people are to be given a chance to give their views on the contentious plans to improve Junction 8 of the M62 motorway.
The borough council is hosting four public exhibition events on June 29-July 2 to give people the opportunity to find out more about the improvements and meet the project team working on the scheme.
The improvements include changes to the roundabout, the westbound slip road and local access roads as they join and leave the junction.
Plans for the junction were granted as far back as 2007 as part of planning permission for Phases 1 and 2 of the Omega development on the former Burtonwood Airbase.
However, since then only a proportion of the development has come forward aso the junction improvements have not been triggered.
But more recently, further applications for logistics and manufacturing warehouses, 1,100 new homes, a new school, shops and community uses have been permitted on the Omega site.
To bring forward the much needed junction improvements, the council has been updating the design and developing a funding package for the £12 million scheme.
Funding is now in place from a number of sources including the Local Growth Deal from the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise
Partnership, developer contributions from Omega Warrington Ltd and other developers in the area and the council’s own capital allocations.
Council leader Terry O’Neill said: “We have worked very hard to secure funding for this scheme and enhance the Growth Fund allocation. We believe that improvements to this junction will be vital in supporting the growth of Warrington and improving the quality of life for both local businesses and local people. This improvement scheme will support the delivery of over 1,500 new homes over the next 10 years and also help to create around 9,000 new jobs across the local business parks.”
Cllr Hans Mundry, the council’s lead member for highways, transportation and public realm added: “Our highways team have done a superb job in putting together plans that are both cost effective and make a positive impact on the local road network. We are very keen for local people to come along to the public exhibitions and give us their views on this locally and regionally important road improvement scheme.”
The exhibitions will be held on the following dates and times:
*Wednesday June 29, 4pm – 8pm at Burtonwood Catholic Club.
*Thursday June 30, 10am – 2pm at Kingswood Community Centre.
*Friday July 1, 3pm – 7pm at Westbrook Library
*Saturday July 2, 12.30pm – 4.30pm at Great Sankey Leisure Centre
An overview of plans can be viewed online at www.warrington.gov.uk/m62junction8.
Anyone unable to attend the events can see all of the material displayed and an online comments form will be available to view on this website.
