Smithdown Road in South Liverpool is set to get a major upgrade for the New Year, thanks to a partnership between the City Council and Scottish Power.
Work starts on Monday 14 January 2013 to deliver a brand new carriageway, along the length of Smithdown Road, from Lodge Lane to Gainsborough Road.
The £1 million scheme, which will take 10 weeks to complete, has been made possible thanks to an agreement between the utility company and the council.
Scottish Power upgraded its supply in the autumn, with the installation of a 33kV cable along the length of the road. The work caused damage to the carriageway, which was already in poor condition.
Following negotiations with the city council, Scottish Power agreed to contribute £180,000 towards the cost of repairing the road. The council is investing a further £820,000, to enable the £1 million works – which will see the carriageway completely replaced, instead of simply patched-up – to take place.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Tim Moore, said: “This is a really important scheme, which will bring Smithdown Road up to an excellent standard, bringing major benefits to motorists, cyclists, residents and businesses.
“I’m really pleased that we have been able to agree this partnership with Scottish Power to fund the works, which have been needed for a number of years.
“We do of course apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused while this work is carried out. We will be doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum, but we believe that local people will recognise that the short term delays will be worth it when they see the delivery of a brand new carriageway, which will last for many years.”
A contractor, Hanson, has now been appointed, with the work phased as follows: –
Phase 1
Woodcroft Road to Salisbury Road – 14th – 27th January
Phase 1a
Gainsborough Road to Woodcroft Road – (works carried out over four successive weekends)
19th / 20th January, 26th / 27th January, 3rd / 4th February and 10th / 11th February
Phase 2
Salisbury Road to Underley Street – 5th – 18th February
Phase 3
Underley Street to Lodge Lane – 19th February to 20th March
The 10-week scheme will be carried out under extensive traffic management. Smithdown Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the duration of the works. Motorists are asked to consider using an alternative route while the works are on-going, to avoid delays.
The city council is now notifying residents and business of the work through a letter drop. Highways officers will also be calling in personally to businesses along the route to explain the impact of the traffic management and agree any alternative access arrangements when the works are in the vicinity of their premises.
The city’s network of variable message signs will also be activated in the New Year to advise people about the works.