How £12.44 million will be spent to ease traffic congestion in Warrington

DETAILS of how £12.44 million Government funding will be spent in Warrington from next year onwards have been revealed by the borough council.
The money – part of a £142.7 million hand-out to Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – is from the Government’s Local Growth Fund.
It will provide:
*Improvements to Junction 8 of the M62 to allow for improved access to Omega and other sites (£5m).
*A new bridge over the Mersey to ease traffic congestion and facilitate the start of the Warrington Waterfront regeneration programme (£5.3m)
*Work to ease congestion in the Warrington East/Birchwood area to support the continued growth of the area (£3.62m).
The total sum of £142.7 million allocated to Cheshire and Warrington LEP will be phased over the next six years but £20.1 million has been specifically allocated for 2015-16.
The Government has also agreed to explore how land assets owned by the Homes and Communities Agency from the Warrington New Town era can be used to support the economic growth of the town.
A number of other initiatives for which funding has been allocated which will also benefit Warrington include the Skills Capital Employer Programme.
Cllr Terry O’Neill, leader of Warrington Borough Council, said: ‘We worked hard alongside our colleagues at the Cheshire and Warrington LEP and at Cheshire East and Cheshire West Councils in the production of our combined Strategic Economic Plan which best suited the growth ambitions of the county and sub region. This allocation of funding is great news. “In Warrington in particular it is a major boost for our ambitious plans to grow the local economy, creating hundreds of new jobs and improving the town for future generations.”
Professor Steven Broomhead, chairman of Warrington and Co, Warrington’s partnership for driving growth and chief executive of the borough council, said:“This is fantastic news for the region, the county and Warrington. Infrastructure is key to growth and these funds will not only keep the region on the move but also fuel Warrington’s continued growth and success.”
Christine Gaskell, chairman of the Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Partnership added: “We are delighted with today’s news and welcome this multi-million pound investment into the economy of Cheshire and Warrington.
“We have worked hard with our partners to present a strong case for this injection of funding into the sub-region and this allocation will provide the platform we need to put our Growth Plan into practice.
“It is now our responsibility to work with all our stakeholders to deliver our plan and transform our economy providing more jobs, more housing and a better skilled workforce for Cheshire and Warrington.’
Warrington South MP David Mowat said: “This is great news for motorists in Warrington. Congestion is one of the top issues being raised by the transport survey I am currently conducting across south and west Warrington. Our road network is close to breaking point and it is holding the town back. I congratulate Warrington Borough Council for working constructively with me to obtain this funding.
“I’m particularly delighted that a new Mersey crossing, which I’ve been lobbying for is now finally going to get the go-ahead. Anyone who was stuck in Friday evening’s gridlock in the town centre will know just how badly that is needed!”
Pictured right: Cllr O’Neill(top) and Professor Broomhead.