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New cycling route to serve popular business
park
A new cycling route is being created to
serve a popular business park near Skelmersdale. Highways England is building a
new cycle scheme over the M58, providing a safer travel option for commuters
from Skelmersdale to West Lancashire Investment Centre; a major business park
south of the motorway.
The scheme involves widening the footpath to accommodate pedestrians and
cyclists, improving pedestrian crossing facilities and installing new signs and
safety barriers on the bridge which carries the A5068 over the M58 at Junction
4.
The project is one of 19 cycling schemes across the North West due to be
completed later this spring to make it easier for cyclists to use major A roads
and cross Motorway Junctions.
Project Manager Phil Tyrrell said:- "Cycling is growing in popularity both
for commuter and leisure riders, as people look for ways to improve their health
and reduce their impact on the environment. The improvements we're making on the
bridge will make it easier and safer for cyclists to cross over the M58,
travelling between Skelmersdale and a popular business park."
To support the work on the bridge, night closures will be required on the M58
between Junctions 3 and 4 to install and remove safety measures.
These are scheduled to take place between 9pm and 5am on:-
► Monday 9, Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 May
► Saturday 21, Sunday 22, and Monday 23 May
Highways England is carrying out over 200 cycling projects across the country
over the next 5 years after the government set up a £100 million dedicated fund
for cycling in its Road Investment Strategy.
More than 40 schemes have now begun and are set to be completed this spring.
Work will continue on the remaining projects between now and 2021.
The schemes will provide new cycling facilities which are safe, separate from
traffic and can be used by cyclists of all abilities.
The 1st phase of the cycling programme will see cycle lanes and crossings
created or improved at 7 Motorway Junctions in the North West, and improvements
will also be made on major A roads in the county.
The investment in cycling schemes supports the government's ambition to
encourage walking and cycling so that it becomes normal for short journeys or as
part of a longer journey. |
