MOTORISTS are advised that a number of overnight road closures on the East Lancs and Rainford Bypass will be in place next week as part of the Windle Island Junction Improvement scheme.

On Tuesday, September 18, the A580 East Lancs Road west bound and Rainford Road will be closed between 7pm and 6am, with no access or exit to Tesco and Starbucks from the A580 westbound carriageway.

While on Wednesday, September 19 and Thursday, September 20, the A580 and A570 will be closed eastbound for overnight works.

The work is subject to weather conditions, particularly sensitive due to traffic management installation – and road users are advised to take alternative routes where possible, and allow extra journey time.

Access to properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times via the permanent crossing route; however a diversion of the existing pathway if needed will be installed around the construction works, suitably signed.

The next major traffic management switch will take place early 2019.

From now until then, there will be 24 hour lane closures in place.

The £7m investment to improve Windle Island – the oldest purpose designed intercity highway in the UK, which sees around 27,000 vehicles pass through a day – got underway on August 6 to increase junction capacity; improve pedestrian safety, smooth traffic flow – and make for better access in and out of St Helens.

However this has caused major traffic disruption - with many commuters being stuck in the one lane traffic in rush hour.

Over half of the scheme is being funded by the Local Growth Fund through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Single Investment Fund after it was approved by the LCR Combined Authority following a successful business case submission to address key issues in St Helens, and to support economic growth in the wider City Region.

Central to the improvements will be:

· New signalised junction of Rainford Bypass/Crank Road with traffic lights linked to those on the main junction to maximise vehicle throughput while improving safety for vehicles using the junction to access/egress Crank Road along with providing a controlled crossing for users of the cycle/footpath on the east side of the Rainford Bypass.

· A new four lane southbound approach to Windle Island Junction, providing a dedicated left turning lane to A580 eastbound towards Manchester and a dedicated right turning lane to A580 westbound towards Liverpool.

· The reintroduction of two lanes southbound through the junction, with the left hand lane for St Helens Town Centre via Rainford Road (including Tesco and Starbucks access), and the right hand lane for Eccleston and Prescot via Bleak Hill Road.

· A new left turn deceleration lane from A580 westbound onto A570 southbound to reduce queue lengths and improve safety.

· Two dedicated right turn lanes from the A580 westbound (towards Liverpool) onto the A570 northbound (towards Rainford). This will reduce queue lengths.

· A new 40 mph speed limit around the junction to improve safety.

The whole scheme is expected to be completed by spring 2019.

To view roadworks in St Helens, visit sthelens.gov.uk/traffic-travel-parking/roadworks.