£10.5 million road scheme finished – on time and on budget

A £10.5 million series of junction improvements on Birchwood Way, Warrington has been officially been completed – on time and on budget.
The Warrington East phase 2 scheme focuses on the key junctions of Blackbrook Avenue, College Place and Oakwood Gate and is designed to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and enhance road safety along the Birchwood Way corridor and its side roads.
It consists of three junction improvements on A574 Birchwood Way:
College Place
* Signalisation of three approaches to the roundabout
* Additional lane on the approach from Birchwood and dedicated left turn onto Woolston Grange Avenue
* Installation of pedestrian and cycle routes across the junction
* Installation of toucan crossing on Crab Lane on  the Birchwood to Sankey cycle route
* Provision of a zebra crossing on Fearnhead Lane near Crab Lane to link up the new footway/cycleways
Blackbrook Avenue
* Additional lane on the westbound approach to separate left turning and straight ahead/right turning traffic
Oakwood Gate
* Construction of a segregated lane for left-turning traffic from Birchwood Centre
* Part signalisation of the southern half of the junction
* Carriageway resurfacing from Oakwood Gate to College Place
Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for transportation, highways and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “It’s great news that these works – on a key gateway into Warrington – have been completed on time and on budget. They are an important part of our wider investment in our transport infrastructure.
“These improvements will make a huge difference to the travelling public, improving traffic flows along Birchwood Way, making the network safer and more reliable and providing a more attractive area for local businesses.
“Motorists will benefit from reduced congestion and shorter journey durations, particularly at peak times, while pedestrians and cyclists will find it easier to cross at the College Place junction. It will also be easier for buses to turn out of Fearnhead Lane.”
Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden added: “We are committed to improving our highway network across the borough, because we know the huge benefits these improvements bring – keeping Warrington moving as a business-friendly destination, reducing congestion and journey times and, just as importantly, reducing the impact of traffic on local residents.
“I’m delighted that phase 2 of this important project is now complete, and I look forward to the completion of the third and final phase of the scheme, which will bring even more benefits to the people of Warrington.”
The works, which have been carried out by principal contractor Balfour Beatty, began in July last year. Landscaping works will take place in the Spring
The final project cost is expected to be around £10.5m and has been funded by a grant from the Local Growth Fund, some developer contributions and council borrowing.
Meanwhile, work on Warrington East Phase 3 is progressing well. This phase of works, due to be completed early next year and will  make the section of Birchwood Way from the Daten Avenue / Moss Gate junction to the M62 junction 11 into a dual carriageway.
A new carriageway for traffic travelling towards Warrington is being constructed to the south of the existing carriageway. The existing carriageway will then carry traffic towards the M62. There will be two lanes on each carriageway.
For more information on the project, visit warrington.gov.uk/WE2