THE second phase of a £10.5 million congestion busting project in Birchwood has been completed.

The work to three junctions at Birchwood Way has officially finished on schedule.

Council bosses say the scheme at the junctions at Blackbrook Avenue, College Place and Oakwood Gate will reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and enhance road safety along the Birchwood Way corridor and its side roads.

Cllr Hans Mundry, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “It’s great news that these works – on a key gateway into Warrington - have been completed on time and on budget. They are an important part of our wider investment in our transport infrastructure.

“These improvements will make a huge difference to the travelling public, improving traffic flows along Birchwood Way, making the network safer and more reliable and providing a more attractive area for local businesses.

“Motorists will benefit from reduced congestion and shorter journey durations, particularly at peak times, while pedestrians and cyclists will find it easier to cross at the College Place junction. It will also be easier for buses to turn out of Fearnhead Lane.”

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED?

College Place

• Signalis on three approaches to the roundabout

• Additional lane on the approach from Birchwood and dedicated left turn onto Woolston Grange Avenue

• Installation of pedestrian and cycle routes across the junction

• Installation of toucan crossing on Crab Lane on the Birchwood to Sankey cycle route

• Provision of a zebra crossing on Fearnhead Lane near Crab Lane to link up the new footway/cycleways

Blackbrook Avenue

• Additional lane on the westbound approach to separate left turning and straight ahead/right turning traffic

Oakwood Gate

• Construction of a segregated lane for left-turning traffic from Birchwood Centre

• Part signalisation of the southern half of the junction

• Carriageway resurfacing from Oakwood Gate to College Place

Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “We are committed to improving our highway network across the borough, because we know the huge benefits these improvements bring – keeping Warrington moving as a business-friendly destination, reducing congestion and journey times and, just as importantly, reducing the impact of traffic on local residents.

“I’m delighted that phase 2 of this important project is now complete, and I look forward to the completion of the third and final phase of the scheme, which will bring even more benefits to the people of Warrington.”

The works, which have been carried out by Balfour Beatty, began in July 2018. Landscaping works will take place in spring.

The final project cost is expected to be around £10.5m and has been funded by a grant from the Local Growth Fund, some developer contributions and council borrowing.

Meanwhile, work on Warrington East Phase 3 continues. This phase of works, due to be completed in early 2020, will make the section of Birchwood Way from the Daten Avenue / Moss Gate junction to the M62 junction 11 into a dual carriageway.

A new carriageway for traffic travelling towards Warrington is being constructed to the south of the existing carriageway. The existing carriageway will then carry traffic towards the M62. There will be two lanes on each carriageway.