A ROAD will be closed for around 10 weeks due to work on a retaining wall damaged in the Boxing Day floods in 2015.

From Monday next week (September 18), Pasture Lane, Rainford will be closed to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians as the structural work gets underway.

During this period a signed diversion will be in operation, and access to properties and businesses in Pasture Lane that lie on either side of the works will still be possible via the diversion.

On December 26, 2015, a gaping hole emerged between the pavement and road after rising flood water from a ditch made its way underneath the footpath, causing a stone retaining wall to move which resulted in the footpath collapsing.

The council’s highways and maintenance team responded immediately to the incident to ensure the area was made safe in the interest of public safety.

A subsequent detailed inspection of the retaining wall revealed that the damage was severe over a considerable distance that it had also caused damage to a gas main located in close proximity.

The council says the estimated cost of the work could not be covered within the authority's budget but funding has now been secured from the Department for Transport, following a motion brought forward at a council meeting earlier this year.

Cabinet member for green, smart and sustainable borough, Cllr Terry Shields, said: “Our neighbouring local authorities received financial assistance to aid them in the recovery operation from Storm Eva, and with St Helens affected in a number of areas with both houses and highways suffering; it was only fair for us to receive funding, too, and we thank the Department for Transport for their support."

“We understand that this repair work is a long time coming, but with this funding we are now ready to fully restore Pasture Lane from its storm damaged state.”

St Helens North MP Conor McGinn added: "Residents in Rainford will be relieved that these works on Pasture Lane have finally commenced.

"I first approached the government for help just a few days after the flooding closed the road at the end of 2015.

"Local people have had to endure 20 months of waiting because Tory Ministers in London wouldn't release the funding needed to make these repairs.

He added: "I pay tribute to the local community for their persistent campaigning on this issue and thank St Helens Council for their role in securing funding. 

"I will continue to monitor the works over the next ten weeks to ensure they are completed to a high standard and on time."