A PROJECT worth nearly £3 million to upgrade one of Northwich's busiest junctions will get underway next week.

Work will get underway for Cheshire West and Chester Council's A556 improvement scheme at Gadbrook Park on Monday, October 5.

The £2.99 million scheme, which has funding from the Department for Transport, aims to relieve congestion at the junction – which is the only access point in and out of Gadbrook Park.

It will be carried out in phases, with all work set to be complete next spring.

Cllr Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said: "I am pleased to see this vital improvement scheme enter the construction phase, as this junction has been an identified congestion hotspot that impacts on business operations at strategically important employment site.

"Reducing congestion and promoting active travel opportunities acts to support our continued efforts to tackle the climate emergency and improve air quality."

The scheme will deliver a new dedicated left-turn lane from business park onto the A556 to reduce congestion in afternoon peak hours, as well as extended left and right turn facilities into Gadbrook Park to increase morning capacity and improve traffic flow on the A556.

There will also be improvements to the traffic signal equipment, while pedestrian and cycling facilities will be enhanced, and the carriageway will be resurfaced.

Enabling works are already underway at the site, and temporary traffic lights will be installed on Friday.

The first phase running from October to December will see the improvements on the Gadbrook Road (North) and the A556 Shurlach Road arms of the junction.

The second phase – beginning in the new year – will see Cadent Gas divert a high-pressure gas main on the south of the junction ahead of the third phase, which is the remaining widening works on the Gadbrook Park access road.

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Cllr Shore added: "The construction works will be carried out in phases, designed to minimise disruption to traffic as much as possible, with lane restrictions, temporary traffic signals and speed limit reductions used when necessary for safety reasons.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and please allow extra time for your journey as these improvements are carried out.

"In advance I would like to thank residents, businesses and road users for their cooperation."