Progress on Parkside as link road 'due to open in December'

The link road, as a St Helens Borough Council initiative, coincides with the joint venture with Parkside Regeneration LLP to transform the former Newton-le-Willows colliery into an employment park and is due to open in December. 

Work on the new link road, which has been tipped to unlock the "full economic potential" of the huge Parkside development, commenced at the beginning of last year. 

The link road will comprise a new direct access from junction 22 of the M6 motorway into the former Parkside Colliery site.

The first units at the site are said to open by spring of the following year.

Progress on the link road also follows the announcement that Parkside will become one of the city region's Freeport sites, with St Helens Council detailing that this will help further unlock the potential of Parkside. 

READ > Freeport will 'unlock Parkside's potential', says council

Newton-le-Willows East Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron MBE said: "It has always been our ambition that Parkside is home to a mixed economy from all sectors. That provides the most jobs, the most opportunity, and the regeneration of a derelict colliery site that employed 2000 people when in full swing.

"The latest Freeport news is a testament to the hard work of our Labour Council in ensuring this, along with our Labour partners at the City Region.

"Labour has a strong position on maintaining workers rights with Freeport status and the Government seems to be listening.

The link road is expected to open in December (Image: Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron MBE)

"This latest news, along with the £50m brand new link road that will be opened and delivered before the first units open will ensure that Newton-le-Willows will experience a renaissance in all sectors of jobs, benefitting is and the wider area.

"It’s been a long journey, but we also said it needs to be done right, and not at any cost."