GOVERNMENT transport bosses today gave the go-ahead to the £18m Hall Lane Gateway Project.

They said the scheme will create better links between the Liverpool city centre and the M62 boosting the local economy by improving links to Manchester and Cheshire.

It is hoped the works will also ease congestion in residential areas on the route out of the city centre close to Liverpool university and the Royal hospital.

Transport minister Sadiq Khan said removing the “notorious bottle neck” was essential to the city’s economy.

Mr Khan added: “The government is committed to investing in key transport links which help boost economic growth.

“That is why we are providing this significant investment to allow Liverpool City Council to deliver this vital gateway to the city.

“Removing the current bottle neck will cut journey times from the city centre to the M62 and beyond.

“This will reduce the economic burden of congestion on local businesses as well as attracting visitors, investment and assisting in recovery in Liverpool.”

Council executive member for assets and development added: “This is the news that we have been waiting for. The Hall Lane Strategic Gateway Scheme is vitally important to Liverpool.

“It removes one of the worst bottlenecks in the city, provides a much better image of Liverpool to visitors as well as a much better environment for the neighbourhood., by removing congestion from local roads.

“It will also provide a new frontage to the Royal Liverpool Hospital development. We have worked closely with the hospital trust to ensure we could have this scheme and a first-class hospital in the city.

“Given the work we have put into this scheme and the benefits it brings to the local community, to commuters and the wider public, we were confident that it would receive backing but to have the funding confirmed is very welcome indeed.”

Work on the project is expected to start in October and be finished by 2011.