Cyclists and walkers face temporary bridge closure
THE footpath and cycleway on the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be closed part-time on weekdays for refurbishment potentially for up to six months.
Halton Borough Council has taken the decision to restrict access at certain times to the footpath and cycleway while the old crossing between Runcorn and Widnes is closed to vehicles.
On weekdays from Monday, November 6, a free shuttle bus service will take pedestrians, cyclists and their bikes, and people using mobility scooters across the river during times when the footpath and cycleway are unavailable.
The service will operate from Monday to Friday, picking up and dropping off every 15 minutes between 7.30am and 4pm from two locations only.
These will be in Runcorn at the end of the approach viaduct near to Doctor’s Bridge, and in Widnes at the end of ● Waterloo Road near to the junction with West Bank Street.
Outside of those hours and at weekends, the footpath and cycleway will open as normal.
A public notice placed by the council in last week’s edition of the Weekly News said the order’s maximum was six months.
Cllr Stan Hill, Halton Borough Council’s executive board member for transportation, said: “It had always been our intention to keep the footpath/cycleway open during ● School children in Runcorn and Widnes are to be given a special commemorative coin to mark the opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge. CHILDREN in Halton are to be given a special commemorative coin to mark the historic opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge.
Schools in Runcorn and Widnes have been closely involved throughout the project’s duration.
Youngsters in both primary and secondary schools have worked with artists to produce unique pieces of artwork to complement the new bridge, attending sessions to learn about the natural environment of the Mersey Estuary and taking part in Lego lessons demonstrating bridge-building techniques to inspire the next generation of civil engineers.
With the bridge now open between Runcorn and Widnes, the limited edition coin is being presented to children who go to school in the borough as a unique memento.
Halton Borough Council leader Rob Polhill said: “The new bridge is a symbol for the future of Halton and is a once-in-ageneration project.
“We want the new structure to be an inspiration to young people across the borough as well as a catalyst to creating jobs and opportunities.
“We wanted to give every school child something to remember this special occasion by and hope that they are pleased with the coin.”
In addition, a limited number of coins will also be available to purchase online. Any profits will go to the Halton mayor’s charities.
To buy a coin visit www.liverpoolcitygifts. com duration the refurbishment.
“But the safety of the public must be our priority and having considered all options and taken advice from health and safety experts, we must regrettably restrict access while works take place.
“We know many local people use the footpath/cycleway to get to work and for leisure, that is why we have put in place a free shuttle bus service so that the disruption to pedestrians and cyclists is kept to a minimum.”
A council spokeswoman said the bridge’s unique characteristics and its environment have meant that as the scheme for carrying out the refurbishment works has been developed, it has been necessary to adapt original plans, particularly in relation to the design of the scaffolding that is required for painting and other works to take place.
As a consequence, the council said it would not be safe for the public to cross the bridge while work at height is taking place and that means it will be necessary to restrict access while the scaffolding works are ongoing.
When it re-opens, the refurbished Silver Jubilee Bridge will provide enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, including a dedicated cycle lane.
It is expected that the works, which also include repainting and essential maintenance of the 56-year-old bridge, will be completed by spring 2019.
Cyclists and pedestrians are prohibited from the new Mersey Gateway Bridge.