Queens Drive project nears completion
Work has started on the fourth and final phase of a £2.2m scheme to improve a major Liverpool route.
Carriageway resurfacing on Queens Drive started in August, which included the replacement of sections of street lighting between the city's boundary with Sefton at Stuart Road and Townsend Avenue.
The first phase, between Townsend Avenue and Utting Avenue, and second phase, between Utting Avenue and Walton Hall Avenue, have now been completed, with the third phase, between Walton Hall Avenue to the Rice Lane flyover, due to be completed.
The final phase is the section between the Rice Lane flyover and Stuart Road and is expected to be completed on 6 November. Liverpool City Council, which is investing in the project, said the fourth phase is likely to be the most disruptive, due to the large volume of traffic that uses this section of the road. Delays are expected at the Southport Road and Breeze Hill junction, within Sefton's boundary.
The council said it has liaised with Sefton Council over the likely impact on their side of the boundary, and is working with them to ask motorists to consider using alternative routes, or to allow additional time for their journeys.
A briefing was provided for Sefton's contact centre, Sefton Plus, so information can be given to customers, and letters, providing a description of the works and key contacts, are being delivered to residents within Sefton's boundary.
Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: "Queens Drive is one of the most important roads in the city, and a major route for business, so it's essential it is well maintained.
"Once this work is completed, it will bring huge benefits for motorists, residents and businesses – on both sides of the Liverpool/Sefton border – for years to come."
Information boards are in place, informing motorists about the final phase of the works, and variable message signs have been activated at key locations, both across the city and within the Sefton boundary, between Derby Road and Southport Road.
The council added that it is relocating its mobile variable message signs to key locations, to provide advance warning of the works and enable motorists to make informed choices about which route to take.
Traffic management measures are in place throughout the duration of the works. Traffic is full contra-flow to allow work on each carriageway to completed, with the road reduced to a single lane in each direction. A dedicated traffic officer is on site 24 hours a day to provide access to residential and business properties.
The council has also worked closely with Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs to make sure the works cause the least possible disruption to travelling football fans. To support this, traffic management measures will be completely removed on three occasions during the final phase of works, coming back into force the following day. They will be removed during the following fixtures:
- Everton vs Chelsea – 26 October
- Everton vs Manchester United – 29 October
- Liverpool vs Swansea – 5 November
Much of the traffic which uses this section of road is freight travelling to the Port of Liverpool and the wider docks area. The council has also liaised with the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association to advise them of the works and request that they ask their members to seek an alternative route during the works.
The contractor for the Queens Drive works is Tarmac, with Enterprise Liverpool managing the project.
