Warrington consults on major town centre transport plans

A CONSULTATION for a major improvement to Warrington town centre’s road network will begin next week.

Warrington Borough Council’s is showcasing its plans for a Centre Park Link scheme this month in a series of open events designed to reveal the blueprints and hear the views of businesses and residents.

Centre Park Link would see the creation of a link from Wilson Patten Street to Chester Road via a new road bridge over the River Mersey to reduce southbound traffic and pressure through Bridgefoot Gyratory.

The new bridge and link will be open to all traffic – north and south bound – however, the top section of Slutchers Lane will be southbound only (between Wilson Patten Street and the existing ‘Bus Only’ link to Centre Park).

Proposals for a new bridge are complemented by alterations to town centre traffic routing to promote the use of the new link, and seek to relieve the town of its enduring congestion problems.

Information will be on display at a number of upcoming events, beginning on Monday  7 December with a three day exhibition bus roadshow at numerous stops across Warrington, including the Cockhedge Centre, Stockton Heath and Centre Park.

Public drop-in events will also take place at St Werburgh’s Community Hub on December 10 from 2pm – 7:30pm and in Golden Square Shopping Centre all day on December 11 and 12.

Centre Park Link is part of Warrington Borough Council’s wider commitment to relieve traffic congestion, transform the town’s transport infrastructure and encourage continued growth and investment.

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive member for highways, transportation and public realm at the council said: “Centre Park Link provides us with a great opportunity to start to resolve long-standing traffic issues in the south of Warrington and promote the future growth of our considerable but underutilised waterfront area.

“It is vital the people of Warrington come and share their views with us on these latest proposals, as this will enable us to help mitigate any issues that may arise and fully maximise the benefits of this fantastic project to the community.”