£9.6m for Knowsley road projects

TWO road infrastructure schemes in Knowsley are to share £9.6m from Liverpool City Region’s Growth Fund allocation.

The projects are a £5.6m investment to improve access and road safety into Knowsley Industrial Park and £4m to improve the A5300 Knowsley Expressway to help maximise the benefits of the New Mersey Crossing and access to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The funding will be used to improve access and connectivity around Knowsley Industrial Park, which is well-placed  in terms of its location to motorways, rail freight terminals, the Superport and both Liverpool and Manchester airports.

The plans for the A5300 / A562 junction will result in increased capacity to help improve journey times and support other major schemes including the Superport and Mersey gateway.

Both schemes are currently in development with delivery expected in 2015.

Cllr Dave Lonergan, cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills at Knowsley Council said: “This is fantastic news for both Knowsley and the wider Liverpool city region.  The two Knowsley schemes will not only help to investment into the borough, but will also provide a range of job opportunities.  Both schemes will help to ensure greater connectivity into and out of the borough and will we continue to work hard and attract further investment, businesses and jobs into the area.”