Further disruption to a major route into Kirkby will continue as work is ongoing on a new £80m train station.
Knowsley Council has confirmed Headbolt Lane will require several road closures due to resurfacing works and the introduction of traffic calming measures. Works began on January 27 with closures in place over the weekend, but more are to be expected as the final phase of highways works are carried out.
Work previously began on the construction of a new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby as part of Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram's plan to deliver a London-style transport system for the city region. It is expected to open to the public this year.
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But the final phase of works will require the following closures:
- Wednesday, February 1 from 6pm to midnight with a closure between Dale Road and Langton Road
- Thursday, February 2 from 6pm to midnight with a closure between County Road and Langton Road
- Friday, February 3 from 6pm to midnight
The noisiest elements of the works will take place at the start of the evening and the road will reopen after the works have been completed. A diversion will be in place via Shevingtons Lane for the duration of the work.
The Council confirmed the highways enabling works will improve safe access to and from the new train station for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. The completed infill of an obsolete subway which ran under Headbolt Lane will also help to address anti-social behaviour issues in the area.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "The highways enabling works that have been delivered by Knowsley Council will ensure people can access the new station safely and securely, whichever mode of transport they choose.
"The completed infill of the obsolete subway has also eliminated a potential area for anti-social behaviour. The new station will deliver tremendous benefits to Kirkby and its residents and improve connectivity for the wider region."
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is delivering the £80m Headbolt Lane Rail Station project, in partnership with Knowsley Council, Network Rail, Merseyrail, and Northern Rail. It will extend the Merseyrail network, which currently terminates at Kirkby, to a new location off Headbolt Lane, improving transport links for the Northwood and Tower Hill areas as well as for Knowsley Business Park.
Northern Rail services from Manchester and Wigan will operate to and from the new three-platform Station at Headbolt Lane, which is also designed to support any future plans to build a new rail link to Skelmersdale. Work has already been ongoing and has so far included:
- Infill of existing pedestrian underpass
- Infill of landscaped area by Southcroft Drive with provision of new connecting illuminated footpath to Headbolt Lane
- Installation of new segregated footway/cycleway on residential side of Headbolt Lane between Fallowfield and Southcroft Drive
- Installation of new segregated footway/cycleway on station side of Headbolt Lane between Fallowfield and Southcroft Drive (completed but yet to be opened)
- Installation of new segregated footway/cycleway on station side of Headbolt Lane between Fallowfield and County Road (completed but yet to be opened)
- Installation of new traffic signalised pedestrian crossing on Headbolt Lane linking station and residential area by Southcroft Drive (scheduled for completion in February 2023)
- Upgrade of existing pedestrian crossing across County Road to include provision for cyclists
- Relocation of existing illuminated lamp columns to illuminate new segregated footways/cycleways.
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