Progress on Parkside link road project

It is seen as the key to ‘unlocking the full potential’ of the ambitious Parkside development which will deliver ‘much-needed’ investment and jobs for residents. The link road will connect the derelict Parkside site – a former colliery – to J22 of the M6 motorway, taking goods traffic away from nearby roads such as the A49, helping to reduce the impact on residential roads and improve the environment. Since the project started in January 2022, a number of significant works have been completed, including sections of carriageway, footway, drainage, and street lighting from Winwick Lane through to Parkside Road, and Parkside Road heading west towards the A49 Winwick Road.

To enable the next phase to be carried out safely where the new road meets the existing highway, a planned road closure will be in place at A573 Parkside Road from its junction with Barrow Lane to the boundary with Warrington from April 24 to July 28, with a clearly signed diversion route in place. Cllr Andy Bowden, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “The Parkside link road is one of the biggest infrastructure projects our borough and the region has seen in many years and will provide a huge boost to development while reducing the impact on our local road networks. “I’m delighted to see the project progress and as we head into the next stage, a planned road closure will be required which could lead to disruption which we’ll look to keep to a minimum.

“The long-term benefits certainly outweigh short-term inconveniences as we strive to unlock the huge potential of the wider site which has lay derelict for too long – bringing much needed jobs to the area – and capitalise on the site’s unique rail freight positioning to encourage sustainable industry.”

The link road is expected to be completed by late spring 2024.