Reopening date given after major roadworks
A MAJOR road has been given a reopening date following months of work.
Marine Drive in Southport has been partially closed between Marshside Road and Preston New Road since January as Sefton Council has worked to make the road safer for drivers. The closure came after a report from Sefton Council labelled the road as “uneconomical”.
The council said: “Over time, the condition of the road surface has deteriorated, which has affected its ride quality and the safe discharge of surface water from the carriageway, despite best efforts to try and maintain its structural integrity through routine repairs and the application of preventative type surface treatments which are now considered uneconomical.”
After diversions have been in place since January 25, the work is set to finish ahead of schedule after essential resurfacing work. The need to resurface the road also came following a Merseyside Police report that found that the road should have its speed limit slashed from 50mph down to 30mph following “life-changing” injuries to a motorcyclist last year.
A Sefton Council spokesperson said at the time: “Alongside our partners in Merseyside Police, we have identified the need to carry out a rolling programme of resurfacing works on Marine Drive, between the Plough Roundabout and Marshside Road.
“These works, which will aim to improve the condition of the carriageway for the ongoing safety of road users, especially motorbike users, will commence in February 2022. In the months leading up to and during the works, we will be implementing a temporary 20mph reduction in the speed limit until such time as the works are completed.”
The road is due to reopen on April 14, ahead of Easter weekend, a typically busy weekend for the seaside