Balfour Beatty completes £60M road to unlock development of Liverpool freeport and colliery site

A new GBP60M road has been completed in St Helens by Balfour Beatty to allow for the future development of a freeport and ex-colliery site in the Liverpool city region. Located in Newton-le-Willows, Parkside Link Road, a new 3.3km route designed to enhance connectivity and support economic growth in the area, opened on Saturday, 31 May. The road provides direct access to Junction 22 of the M6 motorway and serves as a crucial gateway to the largest freeport site within the Liverpool City Region.

This infrastructure is expected to facilitate the movement of goods more efficiently across the region, underpinning the ambitious redevelopment of the former Parkside Colliery and adjacent land. Once a derelict coal mining site, Parkside is being transformed into a strategic logistics and advanced manufacturing hub. The development aims to revive the area as a significant economic driver in the north west, with plans to create several thousand skilled jobs across the site.

The new link road is a vital first phase of this regeneration, helping to redirect traffic away from residential neighbourhoods and minor routes such as the A49, while supporting environmental improvements. The Parkside site benefits from its strategic position with connections to the Port of Liverpool and broader regional transport networks. In addition to road access, the site is designated as a Strategic Rail-Freight Interchange, reflecting a commitment to modernising freight transport, reducing heavy goods vehicles in local communities, and improving passenger rail services.

Funding for the GBP60M project has been largely provided by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, contributing GBP39M, alongside support from St Helens Borough Council and Parkside Regeneration. The project has also delivered measurable social benefits, including the creation of 14 new jobs, two apprenticeships and over 150 volunteer hours dedicated to local community initiatives. The Parkside Link Road opened fully to traffic from 31 May, with clearway restrictions in place on sections of the route to prevent parking and ensure smooth traffic flow.

This infrastructure is expected to play a key role in attracting further investment, promoting inclusive growth, and supporting long-term economic regeneration efforts in Newton-le-Willows and the wider region. Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram said: "The investment we've committed to the regeneration of Parkside is a clear statement of our intent: we want to put the Liverpool City Region firmly on the map as one of the best places in the country to invest, innovate and do business. "This project will have a huge multiplier effect, unlocking development opportunities, creating good jobs, and building an economy that works for local people.

By placing innovation and opportunity at its heart, Parkside will not only help to drive growth in St Helens Borough, but play a vital role in shaping a more prosperous future for our region." St Helens Borough Council leader Anthony Burns said: "Today's unveiling of Parkside Link Road represents a transformative moment for St Helens Borough and the wider Liverpool City Region. "This vital infrastructure will not only unlock thousands of new jobs but will also help to regenerate a long-abandoned site, bringing new opportunities to our community.

We're proud to see this project delivered and excited about the future it will help to build." St Helens Borough Council cabinet member for business and inclusive growth Kate Groucutt said: "The completion of this piece of critical infrastructure before any development takes place on the site is a great example of us listening and delivering for our communities. "The speed this infrastructure has been delivered is a fantastic example of what can be achieved by working together with our partners.

"It will bring forward regeneration and investment in Newton-le-Willows and beyond.  Parkside Link Road is just the beginning - this project will create long-term benefits for our local economy, create thousands of jobs, and provide a boost to businesses across the region." Balfour Beatty area director Kay Slade said: "We are proud to have delivered this transformational project, creating a vital connection to one of the region's most strategically important employment sites and unlocking long-term economic growth for St Helens Borough and the Liverpool City Region. "Throughout the project duration and through close collaboration with St Helens Council, and our partners, we've created numerous local employment and apprenticeship opportunities, equipping individuals with valuable skills and long-term career prospects with us."

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