Cllr Hans Mundry
HIGHWAYS chiefs have released more details of the major improvement work to be carried out on the A50 Knutsford Road, Warrington, next month.
The scheme, due to start on Monday September 19, has already been criticised by Warrington Chamber of Commerce, who predict “seven weeks of misery” for local motorists.
But Town Hall chiefs say they will do all they can to minimise disruption.
The project involves resurfacing of the road between Black Bear Bridge and Bridge Foot traffic lights, on the inward bound side only.
It will also include improvements to a defective length of road surface on the outward bound road between Bridge Foot pedestrian crossing and School Street.
Cllr Hans Mundry, the council’s lead member for highways, said: “I’m really pleased this much-needed work, on an important Warrington route, will soon be getting under way. It will bring huge environmental and visual benefits to local businesses and the wider community for years to come.
“We always consider the needs of residents and business when carrying out roadworks and we know that large-scale resurfacing works such as these can cause some
disruption. We will be working very hard to minimise this as much as possible.
“We are also assisting local businesses by providing advanced notice and signage to co-ordinate deliveries. I’d like to assure businesses, residents and motorists that the short term pain will be worth it, when these vital improvements are completed.”
Resurfacing works will be undertaken during the evenings between 7pm and midnight, Monday to Friday (including alternate weekends) for a period of seven weeks. The road will be closed to inward bound traffic only. During this time, outward bound traffic will not be affected.
Some minor works, including the adjustment of ironwork, will be undertaken during the day between 9.30am and 3.30pm, Monday to Friday on the inward bound side. Two-way traffic flows will be maintained at all times during these hours.
Works will be undertaken during off-peak evenings and day time in consideration for residents and to minimise traffic disruption in the area.
Colin Daniels, chief executive of Warrington Chamber of Commerce, has criticised the timing of the work and urged the council to consider carrying it all out between 7pm and midnight to avoid disrupting business traffic. But the council says it is not possible to do all the work because they have to consider the noise impact on nearby residents.
