A PLANNED road closure will be put in place from next week to carry out the next phase of the Parkside Link Road project.

Progress is being made to construct the new link road in Newton-le-Willows, which will connect the former colliery to J22 of the M6 motorway.

The new link road will help reduce the impact of goods traffic on residential roads and improve the local environment.

The road has also been described as the key to unlocking the full potential of the Parkside development, which will bring in new job opportunities for residents.

Significant work has already been completed on the link road since the project started in January 2022, including sections of carriageway, footway, drainage, and street lighting from Winwick Lane through to Parkside Road and Parkside Road heading west towards the A49 Winwick Road.

Discussing the progress on the project, councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "The Parkside Link Road is one of the biggest infrastructure projects our borough and the region has seen in many years and will provide a huge boost to development while reducing the impact on our local road networks.     

“I’m delighted to see the project progress and as we head into the next stage, a planned road closure will be required which could lead to disruption which we'll look to keep to a minimum.   

"The long-term benefits certainly outweigh short-term inconveniences as we strive to unlock the huge potential of the wider site which has lay derelict for too long – bringing much needed jobs to the area – and capitalise on the site’s unique rail freight positioning to encourage sustainable industry.”

To carry out the next phase safely, a planned road closure will be in place at A573 Parkside Road from its junction with Barrow Lane to the boundary with Warrington from Monday, April 24, to Friday, July 28, with a clearly signed diversion route in place.

Parkside Link Road is expected to be completed by late spring 2024.

For more information visit https://thisisparkside.co.uk/.