A start date has been confirmed for a six-month project to upgrade Wavertree High Street and Picton Road, including an area known as the "death trap junction." Liverpool Council is investing over £2 million from the Liverpool City Region's Key Route Network Levelling Up Programme into the scheme. The improvements will cover the stretch from the Spofforth Road junction to the Picton Clock Tower Roundabout and are expected to take approximately 26 weeks.
Planned Works and Timeline
The project will begin on Monday, July 6. During the first few weeks, a small number of surveys will require lane closures and temporary traffic lights. The works include full carriageway resurfacing, improved pedestrian crossing points, and the installation of push-button crossings on all four arms of the junction between Picton Road and Rathbone Road. The local authority aims to provide a fit-for-purpose, resilient, high-quality highway network for travel by bus, walking, and cycling, while improving air quality for communities.
Engagement Events
To minimise disruption to residents, businesses, and commuters, Liverpool Council and its appointed contractor will hold two engagement events at Liverpool Aquatics Centre at Wavertree Sports Park on Liverpool Road. These sessions will give attendees the chance to meet the project team, view the plans in detail, and ask questions. They will be held on Tuesday, June 16, from 9:30am to 12:30pm, and Tuesday, June 30, from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.
Community Reactions
Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool Council cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said: "The safety of all road users is a priority to us, whether they're driving, walking, or wheeling. This is a particularly busy junction, and we know residents have raised concerns about how difficult it can be to cross safely. These upgrades will make a real difference for pedestrians and will help create a safer, more accessible environment for everyone who uses the high street."
When the ECHO visited the area in March, residents and community leaders recognised the need for works but expressed trepidation. Cllr Laurence Sidorczuk said: "It's known in the community as the death trap junction. The bus stops are at the pinch points and they're so close to the road. If a bus stops up there, traffic bunches up. It's a job that needed doing years ago, it's taken far too long for this to come to fruition. It's going to cause problems, I'm trying to keep residents updated on this. The bus routes will have to be diverted, they say it's going to take six months. I'm expecting an avalanche of complaints which I can understand but it's got to happen. If not us now, then when?"
Alison Edward-Smith, who has run café and wellness centre Maitri on Picton Road for the past five years, said something had to give if things were to calm down along the route. She said: "I've had hours of entertainment along here. I don't know if these works are what's needed but something needs to change. We have actively had to go and help people cross the road because it has got so busy. Sometimes I don't even notice it because it's so chaotic now. It's going to have a massive impact on us. A lot of our visitors are elderly and disabled, we secured a pavement licence for that reason. We're fed up of it, we expect it to have an impact on us commercially and we can't afford that. I come here at 10am and leave at 8pm to avoid the traffic. It's a catch 22 really, everyone's wanted something doing about the road for 30 years."
