COUNCILLOR Lynn Clarke is praising the progress made in improving the borough’s road infrastructure, including works to Windle Island.

In December 2018, St Helens Council committed to invest £1.5m in the local highway network.

This received a further boost when St Helens Council’s cabinet accepted funding of £1,072,000 and £293,000 from the Department for Transport and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority respectively.

Works so far have included: - Redoing existing road markings in Billinge to improve road safety in the area, with each ward to receive £10,000 to enhance road markings

- Broken flags on public pathways being replaced

- An additional 4,800 energy efficient street lanterns being installed as part of the council’s ‘invest to save’ programme

- 15-miles of road resurfacing and preservation for fixing potholes on the roads and to stop them forming

- The soon to be completed Windle Island junction improvement scheme which will provide better access in and out of St Helens

Cllr Lynn Clarke, cabinet member for better neighbourhoods, said: "It’s great to see first-hand the work undertaken at some of the sites that we’ve invested in.

“As a council we are committed to improving the quality of life of our residents and this includes putting money into our highway network to build a better future for the borough's growth.

“We've committed to spend an additional £1.5m and the improvements are obvious: there are carriageway improvements and clear street lining that can be seen by drivers and pedestrians, making it a safe environment for all our residents.”

Commenting on the progress made at Windle Island - the oldest purpose designed intercity highway in the UK - Councillor Clarke added: "The Improvements made at Windle Island to increase junction capacity; improve pedestrian safety and smooth traffic flow will make a massive difference – and it's really good news that the completion of the works will be done two months earlier than programmed.

“Thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding while the works have been progressing, and a big thank you to all of the people at Balfour Beatty and the workforce there, for working in all kinds of weather and all hours of the night, to make sure the works are completed early."