Motorists’ nightmare over as Edge Lane roadworks end

Dec 20 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Edge Lane roadworks nightmare will end today – at least until the end of Capital of Culture year.

Motorists who have suffered long delays on the key arterial route – linking the city centre and the M62 – will breathe a sigh of relief that it will finally be clear after 18 months of misery.

The road surface, central reservation, street lights and damaged pavements have all been replaced with modern materials between the Rocket and the Botanic Road junction.

However, a major part of the work, requiring the demolition of houses at the city end of Edge Lane, is yet to be complete because of legal wrangles.

A public inquiry to acquire the homes needed for the expanded road will get under way in January after an original compulsory purchase order was overturned.

Last night Mr Ian Hassall, chief executive of Liverpool Land Development Company, said: “We are pleased to announce that three out of the four phases have been completed.”

Edge Lane Drive was finished in the summer and phases two and three around the central area of the road will be completed on Thursday.

“Something we are also celebrating are the environmental improvements to the Rocket Junction flyover.

“Phase number four is the western end which has been delayed due to much publicised reasons after our CPO was challenged and upheld.”

There will be a second public inquiry to acquire the homes needed for the expanded road which will get under way on Tuesday, January 15.

Mr Hassall added: “We are confident about getting the outcome we are seeking.”

If successful, the work on phase four would start in early 2009.

Mr Hassall said some small works to tidy up the finish of the road will take place with small sections of cones, but only at off-peak times.

He said it was a great disappointment that the first CPO had ultimately failed after being challenged.

“There were an awful lot of people in that area that wanted us to do what we were doing.

“This is not just about driving a road through an area, it is about regenerating a community with better health facilities, better education facilities, and a better environment.

“The road will also be safer for the community because it will have a central reservation.”

He said he understood criticism that 08 hoardings put up on vacant properties drew attention to dereliction.

“From a very personal point of view, I think it is quite a pale presentation. I would probably have wanted it to be bolder.”

davidbartlett