Drivers should prepare for 60 weeks of disruption as roadworks begin on a stretch of road in Sefton.
The Maritime Corridor runs from Switch Island to Netherton Way, linking to Atlantic Park and the Port of Liverpool, and the council is hoping to improve junctions and ease walking and cycling access along the route through a scheme that has been ongoing since 2016.
Phase 2 details
Phase 1, which began in November 2024 focusing on the A5036 and Netherton Way, was completed this February, and now there is a detailed plan for Phase 2 concerning Bridle Road, Heysham Road and Vesty Road, with work set to begin in September.
As part of this stage, the cycle track along Bridle Road and Vesty Road will be extended, and an active travel link will be put in place from Vesty Road to Deltic Way aimed at enhancing the route between Aintree station and the businesses on Vesty Business Park.
The plan is also to improve the active travel route on Sentinel Way to link with Heysham Road and beyond to the A59.
One-way system chosen
Sefton Council said the most challenging part of the scheme will be around Bridle Road, where there will need to be a safe working area and buffer zone, which means there will have to be restrictions on the carriageway.
Sefton Council considered two options: creating a one-way section for most of the time the works are ongoing, or trying to retain two-way traffic flow but with a very short one-way section with temporary lights for the whole duration of the scheme.
Although the second option appeared to be the least disruptive, traffic modelling showed the limited space between the traffic lights would make it difficult for work to be carried out on that section of road, which would realistically increase the timeframe to two years.
It was also predicted the queues at the traffic lights could become “unmanageable,” with journeys being delayed by 20 minutes or more. This might also force bus operators to cancel some services.
The council therefore favoured the one-way arrangement, which would see traffic flowing in an eastbound direction on Bridle Road for the duration of the works, with a short section of temporary signals near Netherton Way and a diversion in place.
This plan reduces the overall project duration and “delay and disruption” to 60 weeks, the council said, adding two-way traffic can also be phased back in on completed sections.
Impact and timeline
Although people who perhaps live or work along Bridle Road and need to travel westbound will see delays, the council decided it would have been worse with the temporary traffic light option.
For westbound journeys, the delays are now expected to be up to 12 minutes at peak times.
Sefton Council’s Cabinet approved the plan this week, clearing the way for works to start next month.
The scheme is expected to be completed in October 2027.
