WORKS on a £10m investment programme are due to start, but some residents believe the resulting traffic delays will cause ‘mayhem’ for road users.

Over the next two years, Junction six on the M62 is set to benefit from improvement work funded through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund (SIF). The project aims to improve connectivity, flow of traffic and journey times at the busy junction, known locally as Tarbock Island.

The work will also create additional capacity by increasing the number of lanes on the approaches to the roundabout and widen the roundabout itself.

Preparatory work started earlier this week on the eastbound approach to Tarbock Island. The next phase of work will mean temporary lane closures on the westbound carriageway of Cronton Road between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm.

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In addition, the M62 Eastbound slip road exiting from Liverpool and travelling in the direction of Manchester, will be closed from Tuesday May 21. This road closure will be in place 24 hours-a-day for almost four months – with diversions in place throughout this.

Knowsley Council updated constituents on all the details involving the improvement works, but also warned of delays to some journeys. A statement by the local authority said: “Whilst all possible steps are being taken to minimise disruption there will be some unavoidable delays to journeys.

“Drivers are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, or choose alternative routes where possible.”

However, the resulting traffic delays have caused concern among some road users who expect the roadworks to have a significant impact on their commuting times.

The news about the upcoming roadworks received a mixed reaction on Knowsley Council’s social media post titled, ‘Possible Delays’. One resident said: “Possible delays? This’ll likely cause mayhem at Bowring Park, Rainhill Stoops, and the M62 westbound exit during certain hours.”

Another comment read: “Omg this will be horrendous.”

A few people responded to the news with a wry sense of humour. One person wrote: “I’m more than happy to add 20 or more minutes to my commute to and from work every single day for months on end.”

While another person saw an opportunity to make the best of the situation, simply stating: “I’m taking six months off.”

However, there was also some excitement and anticipation expressed by people looking forward to seeing the long-awaited improvements start. One person said: “It’s long overdue, needs to be done to accommodate the Halsnead Garden Village and industrial park traffic.”

Knowsley Council has committed to keeping constituents updated with developments at the start of each new phase of the scheme commences and also detail any potential changes to the programme.