A section of the Central Expressway in Runcorn is to be closed for approximately seven months, it has been announced.

The closure of the southern section between Halton Lea and Lodge Lane interchange is part of ongoing work to develop the approach roads for the new bridge on the Mersey Gateway Project.

Features of the project include:

• Building a remodelled Lodge Lane Interchange with new roads linking the Central Expressway with Weston Link and the Southern Expressway

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• Removing the 'loop' section of road at Lodge Lane Interchange that currently connects the Central Expressway, Weston Link and the Southern Expressway

• Raising the level of the Central Expressway by an average of a metre in height and re-routing utility cables underneath the road

• Building a new footbridge over the realigned Central Expressway at Halton Lodge and removing the current footbridge

• Refurbishing and repairing the Halton South footbridge.

It is understood the closure is to remain in place until June 2016.

Hugh O'Connor, General Manager of Merseylink, said: "We've changed the sequencing of the work in this area so we could open the westbound Weston Point before closing part of the Central Expressway route.

"This has allowed us to provide different diversions for north and southbound traffic and ensure that we maintain good access for people travelling to and from Runcorn Shopping Centre."

(LM/JP)