Give your views on M56

A CONSULTATION is being launched for Halton residents to offer their views on options for a brand new junction 11a along the M56 near Runcorn in a bid to improve journeys.

Highways England are seeking views for two different ideas to modify the existing Murdishaw Roundabout with the A553 Southern Expressway.

In addition to the new junction there are also plans to build a small roundabout north of the West Coast main railway line to provide the westbound entry and exit slip roads for the M56. An option for a new junction west of Murdishaw Roundabout has now been discounted.

The consultation will begin on Monday, January 16, and run for six weeks. The new junction will help to serve the Mersey Gateway Bridge, anticipated to open later this year.

Highways England are also launching a consultation for improvements to the A5036 Port Of Liverpool route in Merseyside.

The organisation’s regional investment manager for the North Jacqui Allen said: “We have done a lot of work on both proposals since public awareness events last year and the consultations over the next few weeks provide an opportunity for people using or living near the A5036 or M56 to help us determine which of the options to take forward to the next stage of design for a start of work before the end of 2020.”

After the consultation closes in February, the preferred route option for the junction will be announced in the spring with work expected to start in March 2020.

Money for the improvement is included in the Government’s £15bn Road Investment Strategy.

As well as improving journeys for commuters and commercial road users, the improvements will support future investment in jobs and housing.

For more information including consultation brochures, electronic versions of the questionnaires, and details of events visit http://roads. highways.gov.uk/projects/m56-newjunction-11a/