Link road wins key backing from regional government

Dec 8 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

PROPOSALS for the Thornton to Switch Island link road cleared a major hurdle this week after receiving backing from regional government.

A detailed business case for the £11.3m road was this week submitted to the Department for Transport who will decide whether the scheme should go ahead. Sefton Council says that backing from the North West Regional Assembly is a major boost to the business case and heralds a firm regional commitment to the bypass.

DfT officials will now visit Sefton in the new year and should make a decision by the summer of 2008. If accepted, the link road will enter the DfT funding programme of schemes to be delivered between 2009 and 2016. A process would then begin involving planning permission, environmental assessments, land acquisition and a possible public inquiry.

Tony Robertson, leader of Sefton Council, said: “It is excellent news that the regional assembly agrees that this vital relief road is now a regional priority.

“The link road is of huge importance to the residents of Thornton, Netherton, Bootle, Seaforth and Crosby and will also boost motorway access to Southport and Formby.

“We firmly believe the road represents excellent value for money when measured against the many transport issues it will address.”

From next week, the public can view Sefton’s link road case at www.sefton.gov.uk/ thorntonlink.