LONG-awaited regeneration and active travel improvements for Burtonwood and Winwick are set to move into the next phase, with Warrington Borough Council seeking approval to appoint consultants to develop the projects ahead of construction.
The council’s cabinet, meeting on July 27, is being asked to approve the appointment of AECOM to prepare detailed designs and planning work for three Local Regeneration Fund (LRF) schemes worth more than £10 million, including major investments in Burtonwood, Winwick and Culcheth.
The projects are backed by £9.4 million in Government Local Regeneration Fund cash, with around £8.1 million available towards the schemes alongside additional contributions. The funding must be spent by March 2028, with construction targeted during 2027/28.
Welcoming the progress, Burtonwood and Winwick ward councillor Stuart Mann said residents had waited years to see meaningful investment and urged the council to maintain momentum.
He said: “I am pleased to see these schemes continuing to move forward and I hope we now see real momentum behind delivering them. Both Burtonwood and Winwick have waited a long time for meaningful investment, and it’s important that we now get on with the job.
“For Burtonwood, this is a genuinely positive project. The improvements to Burtonwood Community Centre, alongside the upgraded walking and cycling links, will bring lasting benefits to a village that many residents feel has seen very little investment over recent decades. These are practical improvements that will support local people for many years to come.”
On the Winwick scheme, Cllr Mann added: “Many residents have told me they feel the village has contributed through council tax for years without seeing a fair share of infrastructure investment in return. I fought hard, alongside Cllr Burgess, to ensure these improvements remained on the agenda because I believe they are vital for the future of the village.”
He said the investment would become even more important with the regeneration of Parkside and the proposed ILP North Tritax development expected to bring significant growth to the area.
“With the regeneration of Parkside and the potential ILP North Tritax development less than a mile away, it is more important than ever that Winwick has the infrastructure needed to cope with future growth. Improving the existing route along the A49 will make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more accessible while complementing the wider transport improvements planned for the area.”
Cllr Mann was also keen to address concerns raised over previous active travel projects elsewhere in the borough.
“The proposals for Burtonwood and Winwick are upgrades to existing walking and cycling routes that have needed investment for many years. They do not involve the loss of existing traffic lanes or roads and ensuring there was no detrimental impact on the existing road network was something I pushed for throughout.
“Like many other residents of the town, I have repeatedly said other Government-funded schemes like the Cyclops junction in Bewsey or the Kingsway Bridge cycle lane unnecessarily removed traffic lanes to the detriment of drivers just trying to get to work, the doctors or taking their children to school.
“The funding is there and the need is clear. I now want to see the council press ahead, complete the detailed work and deliver these schemes for the communities that have been waiting so patiently.”
The largest of the three schemes is the £6.3 million Winwick project, which will provide a new active travel route alongside the A49 between Rectory Lane and the Cromwell Avenue roundabout.
The £1.9 million Burtonwood scheme includes improvements to Burtonwood Community Centre, Gorsey Lane Pavilion and a new walking and cycling route linking Clay Lane with Green Jones Brow.
Meanwhile, the £2.2 million Culcheth scheme will create an active travel route from New Hall Lane, connecting with wider improvements around M62 Junction 11 and providing improved links towards Birchwood.
Cabinet members are being asked to approve consultancy contracts ranging from £314,000 to £376,000 to allow AECOM to complete detailed designs, environmental and ecological surveys, planning applications, land negotiations and procurement ahead of construction.
Alongside the active travel proposals, cabinet will also consider reports on bus franchising and the council’s plans to exit its equity investment in challenger bank Redwood.
If approved, the detailed planning work will begin immediately, keeping the projects on track for construction before the Government’s 2028 funding deadline.
