£1.5m scheme to help link cycle corridors across Liverpool City Region given green light

A £1.5 million improvement scheme to help link a network of cycling corridors across the Liverpool City Region has been approved.

Council chiefs in St Helens have voted to green light construction contracts for two major projects in their area.

It is part of an overall strategy to create more than 55km of green walking and cycling lanes across Merseyside.

What are the projects?

The work to improve and expand the network will be carried out at Gerards Bridge and Canal Greenway, as well as from Sankey Valley to Colliers Moss Greenway.

As part of the enhancements for the Gerards Bridge and Canal Greenway route, 1km of three-metre-wide cycleway will be installed between College Street and Merton Bank Road as well as a path upgrade on Merton Bank Road to Park Road.

The Sankey Valley to Colliers Moss route will include an off-road cycle path from Fleet Lane to Colliers Moss railway bridge.

Work is expected to start later this year.

The overall scheme for St Helens will have three elements:

New footbridges over Rainford Brook/Sankey Canal and repairs to damaged canal walls and towpath.

New and improved on and off-road footways/cycleways connecting to the existing network across the borough.

Watercourse improvement works to Rainford Brook to improve biodiversity and alleviate flooding at College Street.

Who will finance the scheme?

It will be backed by the Liverpool City Region and match funded by its transforming cities fund.

What’s been said

St Helens Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, Cllr Andy Bowden said: “With improving residents’ health and the environment key priorities, sustainable travel projects like this are an important element within our highway infrastructure improvement schemes as we look to support a strong, thriving, inclusive and well-connected local economy.

“As a council, we’re making great strides to make walking and cycling a better and safte way to travel, opening up green and vibrant places that reflect our heritage and culture.”