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Work is getting under way on the £20m Edge Lane West Highways scheme in Liverpool.
The final phase of the Edge Lane corridor highway improvements scheme involves the widening of the carriageway, between Botanic Place and Hall Lane, which will complete the link between the city centre and the M62 at the Rocket junction via a modern dual two-lane carriageway throughout the length of the Edge Lane.
Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council Cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "The start of work on this scheme will be widely welcomed as has the Hall Lane Strategic Gateway scheme.
"The Edge Lane corridor is one of the most important routes for the city of Liverpool but the current road layout is confusing and dangerous and leads to congestion. The pedestrian crossing facilities are also limited and inadequate.
"This scheme will create an urban boulevard with the line of the existing road changed and widened. There will be much safer crossings for pedestrians, safer turning lanes and improvements for public transport."
All the properties required for the work to start have been acquired and are in public sector ownership with the work scheduled to be completed in February 2012.
Works will be undertaken away from the current highway until early 2011. From then there will be traffic restrictions with two lanes inbound and a single lane outbound during peak periods.
Nick Kavanagh, City Council Director of Regeneration, said: "Edge Lane is one of the most important gateway routes into the city and this scheme will not only ease congestion for traffic but present a much improved image of the city. It is an important element in the wider project to regenerate this area."
The total cost of the work is £20.46 million with the Department for Transport, contributing £19.31 million to the scheme.
The Edge Lane West highways scheme is a key part of the overall Edge Lane project which will bring a comprehensive regeneration of the area. It will create 500 new homes and 400,000 square feet of new commercial floor space with the potential to generate up to 2,000 new jobs.
(CD/KMcA)
