3 days ago
East Lancs set for months of roadworks as part of £250m project
Four months of roadworks are set to start on one of Merseyside's busiest roads this weekend. As part of a £40m upgrade to the region's electricity network, parts of the East Lancs Road will be cut off in just over two weeks.
According to SP Energy Network (SPEN), the works will increase capacity on the local network, ensuring it remains fit for purpose as people make greener choices and switch to low-carbon technologies like electric vehicles. SPEN's Manweb licence director, Liam O'Sullivan said: 'Over the next 25 years, electricity demand is set to double as people make the move to low-carbon options for transport and heating.
'Our Merseyside and Wirral districts alone forecast to be home to an incredible one million electric vehicles and heat pumps by 2050. That requires an incredible transformation to our network in the region – much of which was built when the Beatles were at their peak!
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'So, we need to modernise and move with the times and that's why we're investing more than £250 million in this area between 2023-2028 – including the new Bootle to Kirkby connection.'
The first phase of construction is scheduled to start on Saturday August 9 along the eastbound side of the East Lancashire Road, between the substation near South Boundary Road and the M57 Junction 5 exit slip road. Work is due to continue until 8 December 2025.
Knowsley Council advised that one lane of the eastbound carriageway will be closed for safety reasons and work will be undertaken between the hours of 7am-5pm, seven days a week.
Workers will be digging sections of the road to replace the old cables, connecting new ones to various points along the network. They will also be digging and installing new cable ducts at a rate of around 25 to 40 metres a day, with clear signage in place along the route.
The local authority also advised motorists that some disruption will be inevitable, but pledged to keep inconvenience to a minimum during the construction process. It confirmed that people will still have full access to homes and businesses and electricity supply will be unaffected.
Addressing the potential transport disruption, SPEN project manager, Chris Cummings said: 'While the works will be completed in short sections along the route, we appreciate there will be some disruption – given this is such a major project. We're doing everything we can to keep that to a minimum and appreciate the support of Knowlsey Council to help us achieve that.
'We will also keep local communities and regional partners informed about what's happening and when and that work is already underway. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank local people in advance for their understanding and support.'
The energy firm added it has worked to ensure all road users are updated on the plans that all impacted locations and traffic management plans for the work will be clearly signposted in advance.
SCHEDULE OF WORKS
August 9 – October 18: Coopers Lane to Alchemy Way
August 15 – October 18: Alchemy Way to Junction 5 slip
August 19 – September 23: South Boundary onto Coopers Lane
September 13-14 and September 20-21 to September 27-28: Moorgate Road Junction
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