Highways England has announced £3 million of investment to improve journeys and safety Switch Island, which is one of the Northwest’s busiest motorway junctions.
The intersection, where the M57, M58 and 3 A roads all join together has seen 49 collisions in the past two years and the scheme is designed to improve the flow of traffic and enhance safety.
New traffic lights will be installed at a height of over 5 metres – higher than HGVs and double-decker buses – so that drivers approaching the junction can clearly see when the lights are changing.
Other improvements will include changes to the road layout and lane markings, new barriers between carriageways, coloured high friction surfaces and better signs.
The money will come out the government’s £220 million congestion relief programme, which was announced by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling last month.
Bruce Parker, Asset Development Manager at Highways England, said, “We’re delighted we’ve been able to secure funding from the government for this scheme, and can now carry out the detailed design and planning work before construction starts next year.
“The improvements we’re making at Switch Island will improve journeys and safety at the junction, benefitting the tens of thousands of drivers who travel through it every day.”
Jerry McConkey, Transportation and Highway Infrastructure Service Manager at Sefton Council, said, “We’ve been working with Highways England and Merseyside Police over the last 12 months to investigate the issues at Switch Island and to develop these improvement proposals.
“It is great news that Highways England has secured this funding and we will continue working with them to improve the junction and make it safer for everyone using it.”
Tony Jones, Chief Inspector of Roads Policing at Merseyside Police, added, “We welcome any improvements to the road infrastructure which assists drivers and makes the network safer for drivers and pedestrians.”
