Work started today, 6 October, on the first phase of an £80 million investment in Liverpool's highways network.

The £1.4 million scheme on the Walton corridor of the A59 is the first as part of the city’s commitment to drastically reduce the £256 million backlog in road repairs over the next eight years.

The works involve resurfacing the Walton Vale/Warbreck Moor stretch between Hornby Road and Park Lane and will take 16 weeks to complete, meaning lane restrictions and temporary lights during the day.

The first element of the scheme will see stretches of the road closed mainly overnight for around six weeks from 7pm until 6am, with diversions in place.

The parts of the road affected by night time work are:

• Warbreck Ave to Windsor Road: 06/10/14 – 11/10/14

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• Windsor Road to Orrell Park: 12/10/14 – 20/10/14

• Warbreck Ave to Sydney St (Longmoor Lane junction): 21/10/14 – 03/11/14

• Sydney Street to Caldy Road: 04/11/14 – 07/11/14

• A566 to Glenbank Close: 08/11/14 – 18/11/14

• Melling Road to Railway Bridge: 14/11/14 – 18/11/14

• Melling Road to Park Lane: 21/11/14 – 24/11/14

The following stretches will be affected by day time work:

• Caldy Road to Railway Bridge: 13/10/14 – 05/11/14

• Melling Road to Park Lane: 06/11/14 – 20/11/14

The project will also include upgrades to traffic signals and minor footway works.

A second phase of work around the Hornby Road junction will take place in January 2015 and will be completed by mid-February.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: "There has been a significant lack of investment in our road network for decades, largely due to a shortage of central government funding.

"I am constantly being told by people that the condition of our roads is something that they want tackling and so we are taking significant steps in putting that right.

"There are huge economic benefits of well-maintained, high-quality highways as they keep traffic flowing, keep vehicle running costs low, and by ensuring people and goods can move efficiently, make our city a more desirable place to live, work, visit and do business.

"This work will significantly reduce our highways maintenance backlog over the coming years, and as such, is an important component in the on-going regeneration and development of our city."

(CD/IT)