An ambitious £17 million scheme to improve traffic on the eastern approaches to Southport is due to begin in the autumn of 2024.
Sefton Council has identified four major elements it wants to include in Phase One of the Southport Eastern Access scheme, which would include the re-opening of Foul Lane to vehicle traffic.
Also due to be included in the work, which is due to begin in September or October 2024, is:
- Localised widening at the junction of Bispham Road and Norwood Road
- Junction improvement including widening at the junction of Sussex Road and Norwood Road
- A series of improvement and traffic mitigation measures in the Norwood area to prevent rat-running
Work to improve the notorious Kew Roundabout in Southport would take place in Phase Two.
The Southport Eastern Access scheme seeks to deliver highway improvement measures at a series of junctions and links on the eastern approaches to Southport improve access and safety for all road users to the town centre from the east.
The eastern approach to Southport from West Lancashire has often created a bottleneck for traffic when major events such as Southport Air Show take place, as well as during busy weekend periods. It also restricts access for people travelling between Southport Hospital and Ormskirk Hospital.
Sefton Council’s Cabinet members are due to discuss the scheme when they meet on Thursday (4th January 2024), where they are expected to appoint Balfour Beatty to carry out the initial work.
The aim is to provide Early Contract Involvement in the development of the works information for the first Phase with a view to a further appointment to deliver the works.
Funding will be received via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA).
Leading up to Kew roundabout in Southport, part of the Southport Eastern Access scheme. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The LCRCA has received a City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement allocation from the Department for Transport to deliver highway improvement and maintenance projects throughout the City Region by March 2027.
An allocation of funding for £16.8 million has been identified to fund Southport Eastern Access projects.
It is recognised that careful planning and co-ordination of all the elements of work will be critical to ensure the works are delivered within the window and that disruption is minimised as far as possible.
Early Contractor Involvement by Balfour Beatty would have the advantage of ensuring that the works are well programmed, that the buildability of the scheme is considered at an early stage and that the period between completing the design (and agreeing a contract cost) and the works starting will be reduced.
In his report to Cabinet, Sefton Council Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) Peter Moore said: “The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority approved the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the Southport Eastern Access (SEA).
“This was a series of junction and link improvements on key routes on the eastern approach to Southport including the re-opening of Foul Lane.
“The proposals were intended to reduce congestion, particularly on days when large numbers of visitors are attracted to the town.
“The measures were also designed to improve safety and accessibility.
“In the development of the proposals further consideration was given to how people walking or cycling could better access the town centre and hence the scope of the scheme was developed further to include a significant active travel element.
“In discussions with the LCRCA, the Council has identified works contained within the Original Business Case which can be delivered for this allocation and hence by March 2027. The exact scope will be agreed when further costing work is completed.
“It is accepted that some of the works require land to be purchased and whilst every effort will be made to secure this land by negotiation, it is accepted that, subject to approval, compulsory purchase powers may be needed.
“As the land acquisition process will take some time, it is accepted that some of the work will be delivered towards the end of the current window.
“In determining the scope of works to be included in Phase 1, each element of the project has been reviewed to identify those elements where land take isn’t or where land take is minimal and where a significant positive impact can be made.”
Further details of the scheme will come before Sefton Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee in March 2024.
The report will include feedback from the consultation completed in November and December, centred on the elements related to Phase 1.
Phase 2 of the Southport Eastern Access scheme, which will be the elements delivered as part of the current CRSTS programme from the £16.8m allocation less the costs of the Phase 1 work will be further defined in due course.
They will almost certainly include the active travel element on the Foul lane corridor and works to improve Kew Roundabout.
Phase 1 of the proposals includes an allocation of funding for traffic mitigation, safety and potential public realm improvements in the Norwood Ward area.
It is recognised that while the reopening of Foul Lane brings benefits, it could lead to a potential increase in rat-running through the Norwood area.
Sefton Council is therefore exploring measures that can be put in place to ensure that traffic uses the main roads and is discouraged from travelling through residential areas.
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