Road removal could kickstart Station Quarter
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RUNCORN’S long-awaited Station Quarter could be a step closer after plans were filed for a £10m project to remove a bridge link road no longer in use.
Halton Borough Council is seeking permission to demolish the ‘trumpet loop’ connecting the Silver Jubilee Bridge (SJB) with the Bridgewater Expressway and to replace it with a roundabout.
The aim is boost access around the town centre by linking the SJB with Devonshire Square, Greenway Road, the expressway and Runcorn Station.
It is hoped the road’s removal will kickstart the development of a Station Quarter and create an enticing welcome with ‘wow factor’ for arriving rail passengers.
The project is part of wider proposals to regenerate the town centre, taking place while the SJB is closed following the opening of the Mersey Gateway.
This means the SJB will open at a later date than initially envisaged, with the reconfigured bridge and road network due to be completed in early 2020.
The SJB has been shut since October last year for refurbishment.
Halton Council said removing the trumpet loop will improve town centre connectivity and could lead to more leisure facilities, shops and businesses.
Replacing the trumpet loop with a roundabout is expected to cost £9.61m.
Halton Council has estimated that leaving it alone would cost between £1.49m and £2.6m in maintenance.
Cllr Rob Polhill, leader of Halton Council, said he expects the £10m roundabout construction to be done about a year from now, adding that it will create space to show rail passengers and developers what the area has to offer.
He said: “De-linking the trumpet loop will give us more space to expand the Runcorn Station Quarter to try and enhance the look of the station.
“Hopefully, it will give a better feel of a mainline station.
“A lot of people come in to the station and leave to go to London from there so it’s quite an important station.
“We need to make a start on the roundabout because it’s such an important part of the design.
“It will be good to start on it – we’ve talked about regenerating the Old Town for years.
“The old Crosville depot took us many years and that’s a success with the pub and coffee shop and it’s looking better.
“The opening of Mersey Gateway has given us this huge opportunity not just to give the Silver Jubilee Bridge a much needed makeover, but to transform the area in front of Runcorn Station.”
Public consultation over the trumpet loop de-linking is open until November 1. The council is aiming to decide the matter by December 6.
To comment, visit Halton Council’s planning portal and search for reference 18/00504/FUL. Alternatively ask to see the plans at Halton Direct Link offices.