Liverpool City Region highways earmarked for major investment

Journeys on the Liverpool City Region’s highways and transport network would become smoother and safer, under a new multi-million-pound investment package set to be discussed by local leaders this week.

In a move to improve the region’s roads, the Combined Authority is seeking to approve the indicative allocation of £232.96m from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), for a Highways Maintenance and Non-Maintenance package with all six areas of the city region set to receive a share.

Focussing on key corridors, the proposed package represents a co-ordinated series of measures all designed to support public transport services, relieve congestion, and improve air quality for local communities.

The measures include carriageway resurfacing to improve the condition of the roads, drainage works to help prevent flooding, new streetlights. Work will also include the installation of more electric vehicle charging points, which help to improve air quality and help reduce congestion on our roads.

Bus users, cyclists and pedestrians would also benefit as plans include upgrades to bus shelters, improved footways and cycleways, plus new pedestrian crossing schemes.

The proposals form part of Mayor Rotheram’s plans for an integrated London-style transport network that makes the region’s network easier to use, cheaper, quicker, and more reliable.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

“Our region’s success is dependent on our people, and goods, being able to move quickly, safely, and efficiently. By investing in electric charging points and improved, future-proof infrastructure on the roads and transport network, we can ensure that our economy continues to accelerate forward as we rebuild from the pandemic.

“Ultimately, my vision is to create a modern, London-style public transport network. Not only will it make a huge difference to the lives of our residents, making their journeys cheaper, faster, and more reliable, but it would provide people with a genuinely viable alternative to their car.

“By choosing to travel on the bus or train, or even walking or cycling, we can significantly reduce traffic congestion on our roads – which will be vital for our region to hit our goal of being net zero carbon by 2040 at the latest.”

By contributing to improved transport access across the city region, this package of measures would in turn support growth as the benefits extend beyond transport, improving access to key sites in the city region for education, housing, health, and productivity.

The Combined Authority was awarded an indicative allocation of £710m to fund transformational transport projects through the CRSTS in November 2021.

The wide range of schemes included in the highways package were identified with the six local authorities as part of the development of the CRSTS bid, with the following funding allocations proposed:

Halton £24.37m

Knowsley £29.19m

Liverpool £50.55m

Sefton £41.11m

St Helens £34.29m

Wirral £37.77m

Merseytravel £15.68m

The Combined Authority is due to consider this proposal at its meeting on Friday 4 March.