Roadworks completed around busy Newton-le-Willows junction

With roadworks and temporary lights in place around the Mill Lane and Southworth Road junction for the past two months, residents in Newton grew increasingly frustrated about the works and traffic delays that they caused.

The works were put in place to improve road infrastructure around Newton in preparation for the multi-million pound Parkside project and its link road from the M6.

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Frustrations grew about the temporary lights (Image: Contributed)
Although the new link road will provide access from the motorway, which is of particular importance for HGVs, it is expected that traffic will also increase around Newton as the project promises hundreds of new jobs.

This is why road improvements are being made, which will include a dedicated left-hand turn on Mill Lane, as well as improvements to the right-hand turn lane and upgrades to the traffic lights.

Some temporary lights will remain until traffic lights have fully synced (Image: Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron)
Following the two-month project, roadworks have now been completed around the Mill Lane junction this week.

St Helens Council said that minor works will continue in the area, but will not require traffic management. Some temporary lights will remain in place until the traffic lights have fully synced.

The next stage of roadworks will begin in January 2024 with improvements scheduled around the Southworth Road and Parkside Road junction. 

There will also be over night closures from 7pm to 5am at the Winwick Road junction with the new Parkside Link Road.

Work is currently ongoing to finish the new Parkside Link Road (Image: St Helens Council)
Speaking previously on the roadworks and Parkside project, Newton East councillor and cabinet member of strategic transport, Seve Gomez-Aspron, said: “Once up and running, Parkside will be a hive of economic activity, so the purpose of these works is to improve our local infrastructure and accommodate workers travelling to and from employment generated by the development.  

"The long-term benefits this scheme will bring certainly outweigh short-term inconveniences of road works which the council will look to keep disruption to a minimum as we strive to unlock the huge potential of the Parkside site which has lay derelict for far too long, bringing much needed jobs to the area.

"[This is] all while achieving one of our top priorities as a council of creating a well-connected, accessible transport network across the borough which supports economic growth."