NEW bus lanes along the A49 Winwick Road to speed up services into Warrington look set to be built if council chiefs give approval tonight (Monday).
Members of the borough council’s cabinet will be asked to delegate authority to officers to press ahead with the scheme. But they will also be warned that the project will inevitably cause traffic disruption.
Bus services along the A49 have been identified as those suffering the most delays – particularly during the morning and evening peak periods and when there are incidents on the motorway network.
The number of people using the buses in Warrington has been falling for some years, particularly since the COVID pandemic. Although there are encouraging signs that numbers are increasing, they still remain below pre-pandemic.
Delays and a lack of punctuality are seen as a reason for many people not using the buses.
The proposals include construction of sections of new southbound bus lane, built alongside the existing carriageway, with two lanes maintained for other traffic.
There will also be traffic signal upgrades, with technology to give buses priority. There will also be complementary active travel improvements to encourage cycling and walking.
Public consultation will take place in the Autumn. It is hoped construction can start in late 2025, following utility diversions will take some 18 months.
Construction should be completed late 2026.
But, a report to the cabinet warns, the work is likely to cause significant traffic disruption.
Cabinet members will also be asked to approve continuation of the £2 fare cap on local bus services and the introduction of a £1 cap for children and young people up to the age of 19.
The proposals are estimated to cost more than £16 million, of which the A49 bus lane scheme will involve more than £11 million, with funding coming from the Department for Transport.
Council borrowing of £1.5 million could be needed, but would only be used if necessary and after the Department for Transport grant had been spent.
5 Comments
I have lived and worked in Warrington for the last 40 years the traffic congestion has got worse and worse over those years.
So much that is not a pleasant experience for most local people needing to go about their daily business.
Throughout those 40 years a labour council has always been in charge who have no proper planning objectives or ideas in proper efficient traffic planning.
Gary , turning Winwick road into a single lane thoroughfare at peak times is absolute madness of the highest degree , an no doubt the bus lanes will be monitored with Borough Council cameras to fine £££££s anyone who makes a mistake ,
The whole area will turn into gridlock , every feeder road leading onto Winwick road already has horrendous jams ,,, it’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve had the misfortune to come across ,,,, an just for good measure Warrington Hospital is a mile away ,, what about the delays to Ambulances in a Blue light situation ,
I agree peter WBC are just after Government money to fund their ideas
When Warrington gets their city status we should name it CONGESTION CITY
Labour’s undertaking “not to build another house” before improving the infrastructure, seems to have fallen by the wayside. That is if they ever intended to honour? Instead they are doing very little to improve our less than adequate infrastructure, whilst reducing its capacity to cope with everyday traffic by introducing bus lanes on our already overcrowded roads.