LOCAL businesses impacted by ongoing roadworks around Warrington’s Sankey Street Gateway have expressed frustration at the latest extension to the works, saying they hope they will be compensated for lost trade.
The roadworks, which have brought driving restrictions and footway closures across several town centre streets, were originally scheduled to run for 32 weeks from April 13, 2026.
But Warrington Borough Council has now confirmed the works are being extended until April 30, 2027, citing delays on site.
The announcement has prompted concern among businesses operating in the affected area, with traders facing continued disruption to access and the movement of customers around the town centre.
One of the key concerns is the impact on businesses that rely on passing trade and customers being able to reach their premises easily.
Local businesses say they hope the council will consider compensation for the losses they claim to have suffered during the prolonged works.
One frustrated busines owner told Warrington Worldwiide: ” I hope the council is goping to compensate us for lost bsuiness during these works. It’s the middle of a Tuesday afternoon and once again you can see no one is working on the site.”
Another frustrated business owner said: “This is absolutely ridiculous. Workmen are off site more than they are on it.”
The council has said the works are being carried out in phases to minimise disruption, but the latest extension means restrictions will remain in place for considerably longer than originally anticipated.
Streets affected by the extension
The temporary traffic order covers a number of streets around the Sankey Street Gateway scheme, including:
– Sankey Street – between Springfield Street and Bold Street
– Bold Street – between Sankey Street and Palmyra Square North
– Legh Street – between Sankey Street and Regent Street
– Regent Street – along its entire length
– Garven Place – near its junction with Sankey Street
– Hilden Square – along its entire length
The order includes prohibitions on driving, clearways and footway closures, with restrictions applying to different sections of the roads.
It also suspends certain existing traffic arrangements, including one-way restrictions, bus lane arrangements, parking and loading bays, and taxi ranks, to accommodate the works.
The council says access arrangements, alternative routes and the reason for the works remain as previously advertised, with restrictions applying as and when signed on site.
The latest extension raises further questions about the effect on town centre businesses, particularly those already struggling with reduced customer access and the challenges of attracting shoppers during construction.
Warrington Borough Council says the Sankey Street Gateway works are intended to make the town centre safer, more attractive and easier to access, with the long-term aim of supporting economic growth and encouraging more people to visit and spend time in the area.
According to the council’s Sankey Street Gateway project page, the scheme is designed to improve one of the main routes into the town centre, linking the pedestrianised shopping areas with the Town Hall and Palmyra Quarter.
What the council says the improvements will deliver
– A more welcoming town centre entrance: Widened footways, upgraded paving, greenery and planting are intended to improve the appearance of Sankey Street and Hilden Square.
– Safer pedestrian access: More informal crossing points and wider pavements are intended to make it easier for people to walk around, including those with mobility needs.
– Less traffic through the area: The scheme will remove motorised traffic from Hilden Square and reduce through traffic along parts of Sankey Street and Bold Street.
– Better facilities for cyclists: A segregated westbound cycle lane and improved conditions for cyclists travelling eastbound are planned.
– Improved bus access: The council says the changes will give greater priority to buses and improve the environment for passengers arriving in the town centre.
– Support for town centre businesses: The authority says creating a more attractive place for people to visit and spend time should help support the local economy.
The scheme is part of Warrington’s government-funded Town Deal programme, with the council stating that the funding is specifically allocated to the project and would have to be returned if the scheme did not proceed.
