Work to start on £80m highways investment

WORK got underway on Monday, 6 October 2014, on the first phase of an £80 million investment in Liverpool's highways network.

The £1.4 million scheme on the Walton corridor of the A59 is the first as part of the city's commitment to drastically reduce the £256 million backlog in road repairs over the next 8 years.

The works involve resurfacing the Walton Vale/Warbreck Moor stretch between Hornby Road and Park Lane and will take 16 weeks to complete, meaning lane restrictions and temporary lights during the day.

Walton Vale has caused concerns in recent years as it has a severely rutted carriageway which has led to flooding, while 75%Warbreck Moor has been recorded as defective.

The first element of the scheme will see stretches of the road closed mainly overnight for around 6 weeks from 7pm until 6am, with diversions in place.

The parts of the road affected by night time work are:-

►  Warbreck Ave to Windsor Road: 06/10/14 – 11/10/14

► Windsor Road to Orrell Park: 12/10/14 – 20/10/14

► Warbreck Ave to Sydney St (Longmoor Lane junction): 21/10/14 – 03/11/14

► Sydney Street to Caldy Road: 04/11/14 – 07/11/14

► A566 to Glenbank Close: 08/11/14 – 18/11/14

► Melling Road to Railway Bridge: 14/11/14 – 18/11/14

► Melling Road to Park Lane: 21/11/14 – 24/11/14

The following stretches will be affected by day time work:
► Caldy Road to Railway Bridge: 13/10/14 – 05/11/14

► Melling Road to Park Lane: 06/11/14 – 20/11/14

The project will also include upgrades to traffic signals and minor footway works.  Along with a 2nd phase of work around the Hornby Road Junction, that is due to take place in January 2015 and will be completed by mid February 2015.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:- "There has been a significant lack of investment in our road network for decades, largely due to a shortage of central government funding. I am constantly being told by people that the condition of our roads is something that they want tackling and so we are taking significant steps in putting that right.  There are huge economic benefits of well maintained, high-quality highways as they keep traffic flowing, keep vehicle running costs low, and by ensuring people and goods can move efficiently, make our City a more desirable place to live, work, visit and do business. This work will significantly reduce our highways maintenance backlog over the coming years, and as such, is an important component in the on-going regeneration and development of our city."

Merseytravel and bus operators have been consulted to minimise disruption to public transport during the work.

The other major routes in poor condition to be tackled between now and next April as part of the initiative are:-

► Islington and surrounding roads

► Smithdown Road (from Gainsborough Road to Queens Drive)

► Ullet Road (from Smithdown Road to Croxteth Gate)

Liverpool City Council is using 'capital and capital investment' funding for the work, which cannot be spent on staffing or running costs of day-to day services but has to be spent on property and assets such as land and roads. In household terms, capital is similar to borrowing through a mortgage and using the money to buy a house or pay for an extension.

The City Council will also seek to identify sources of additional private and other public sector funding, including utility companies, throughout the programme, to help finance the work.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Malcom Kennedy, said:- "This is the start of a programme of work which is hugely important for Liverpool. Our highways network has been in desperate need of investment for many years and the commitment we have made will make a big difference to tens of thousands of motorists and cyclists who use them. This investment will be welcomed by motorists who have demanded that something is done to improve the condition of our roads. We have listened, and we are taking action."

The City Council is looking at improving provision for cyclists as part of the initiative, including toucan crossings, links to the cycle network, cycle lanes and advanced stop lines.

Currently, the City Council receives approximately £3.5m each year from central government for the maintenance of its highways, including carriageways, footways, street lighting, and highway structures; funding which only enables it to tackle 0.6% of the 1561km which make up the total highways network. This annual funding will be directed towards the on going maintenance of roads not included in the £80m investment programme, such as unclassified roads, and B and C roads.

Have your say on how Trains and Stations are Policed in Merseyside

RAIL passengers and staff across Merseyside are being given the chance to have their say on the way the County's railways are Policed. By completing a short online survey, British Transport Police (BTP) wants the general public and Rail Staff to tell them what concerns them most and about travelling or working on trains. Crime on the railway has fallen for the tenth successive year, but anyone who travels by train is invited to tell BTP their views on how trains and stations are policed, and any concerns they have about using rail services, and if they are worried about any particular type of crime.

► Are travellers and Rail Staff more concerned with cycle theft or pickpockets?

► Do they want to see more Uniformed Officers on late night trains?

► Is graffiti more of a concern than ticket fraud?

Chief Constable Paul Crowther said:- "The work we have done to reduce crime on trains and at stations in the past 12 months has made a significant impact; Operation Magnum, for instance, has helped to bring down theft of passenger property by 17%. BTP is committed to getting passengers to their destination safely, and making sure Rail Staff are safe at work. The answers people give us will help improve the service we provide in policing the railway and London Underground during the coming year. Thank you in advance for completing the short questionnaire. What you tell us will help shape railway policing in the months to come."

"Railway Policing - What matters to you" can be completed online, at:- btp.police.uk/survey.aspx.