Knowsley Council have approved two large scale infrastructure projects
Tarbock Island at Junction 6 at the M62 motorway in Huyton. Pictured Cronton Road, Huyton near Aldi. (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Nearly £13m will be spent upgrading a ‘nightmare’ roundabout in Knowsley as well as creating new cycle lanes and footpaths in the borough.
Knowsley Council’s cabinet met on Wednesday, January 15 to decide on a number of recommendations including a proposed £12.42m grant funding agreement with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The cabinet approved finance plans which will facilitate upgrade works to the Huyton Active Travel Corridor and the Tarbock Island Capacity Improvement schemes.
In Autumn 2021, the Department for Transport awarded a £710 million Transport Settlement to the Combined Authority. Each local authority in the city region was invited to submit proposals for delivering major projects and Knowsley Council secured £12.420m funding to construct an active travel corridor along Wilson Road and upgrade the area around Junction 6 on the M62.
The £12.42m will create new footpaths and cycle lanes along Wilson Road to connect Huyton Business Park to Huyton Village Centre – via St John’s Road, St Mary’s Road, The Orchard and Blacklow Brow. In addition, the project will improve the capacity at Tarbock Island roundabout by widening the number of running lanes and slip roads to the circulatory – linking Halsnead Garden Village with Huyton town centre and the bus and railway station.
Tarbock Island is known by some local residents as ‘a complete nightmare’ with regular reports of long delays and traffic congestion. Given the close proximity of both the Tarbock Island works and the Wilson Road element of the Huyton Active Travel project, the local authority have confirmed there will be some added congestion expected in the area during the development phase.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development at Knowsley Council, said: “This funding award is a major step forward in our ambition to create a more sustainable and connected Borough.
“The scheme will not only provide vital new cycling and walking infrastructure but will also improve traffic flow at a crucial junction, benefiting businesses and residents alike. We are committed to delivering this project effectively and efficiently, ensuring it delivers maximum benefit for our communities.”