A major road in Kirkby remains closed to vehicles to enable works on the new Headbolt Lane station project.
The ECHO previously reported that work was officially underway on the £80m scheme to build a new Merseyrail station. Work has been ongoing to create the new station building, platform and car park as well as the installation of new bridges and the widening of the embankment.
County Road in Kikrby was closed last month for the duration of the summer holidays, between the junction with St Kevins Drive and the junction of Boyes Brow/Headbolt Lane. This is to replace the existing bridge and enable Network Rail to install an additional railway track approaching the new station.
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Replacement buses will also operate between Kirkby Station and Rainford Station due to the ongoing works. But as the work commences, further disruption may be caused to traffic in the area in the coming weeks.
Knowsley Council has since confirmed to the ECHO that the following road closures are still in place or are upcoming:
- Headbolt Lane will have temporary traffic signals at various times until November for installation of upgraded infrastructure to support the new station.
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County Road is closed by Network Rail for five weeks from July 23 to August 30, 2022. A signed diversion will be in place. Network Rail works remain on schedule for this and hope to have all works completed for County Road to be reopened to traffic as planned.
- One lane will be closed on Headbolt Lane from September 5 for approximately five weeks between County Road and Fallowfield. Additional local road closures will be required throughout this time, to allow for traffic calming and resurfacing works but exact details of these will be shared once confirmed.
- Network Rail and its Contractors will be installing a new traffic signalised junction on Headbolt Lane/Fallowfield which will be the permanent new entrance to the new station. The dates for this installation are expected to towards the end of the calendar year and last approximately eight weeks although specific dates have yet to be agreed. These works will also impact upon local traffic movements.
Network Rail works remain on schedule and the council's own initial phase of works have also been successfully completed. This includes works to close off and infill the existing underpass and construct new segregated cycleway and footway on the opposite side of Headbolt Lane.
The next phase of works include the installation of a new Toucan crossing close to Southcroft Drive as the installation of new segregated cycleway and footway works from County Road to the new station entrance are due to commence imminently.
This will require the introduction of a one way traffic system for about five weeks, as well as other minimal temporary traffic signals to enable works to be carried out safely for all users. Resurfacing and introduction of traffic calming measures will be introduced on site before Christmas.
Anyone wishing to know more about the event can attend a public drop-in event on Monday, August 22, at Northwood Community Centre from 4.30pm-7pm.
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