Work has now started on the construction of the cycleway improvement scheme between Helsby High School and Frodsham. We will keep you updated regularly on how the scheme is progressing.
Background
Cheshire West and Chester Council developed the scheme which will provide a new cycleway between Helsby High School and Howey Lane, Frodsham. The scheme will upgrade the current marked cycleway into a safer segregated route, separated from traffic by a kerbed area. It will also provide a widened shared use footway/cycleway between Woodhouses caravan park and Helsby High school and a new ‘toucan’ push button crossing (called so because ‘two can’ cross at the same time) facility near Godscroft Lane which caters for both pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and the Council and will be constructed by the Council’s highways contractor, Ringway.
Programme of works
Over the next few months, the phasing of the works will continue working from the High School up to Howey Lane, working towards Frodsham. Two sets of temporary signals will be set up, at relevant distances apart, along the proposed route. This is in order to maximise the construction work and to help reduce the overall duration of the programme. We are aiming to be completed by Easter pending no issues of inclement weather and/or covid restrictions. Where required the contractor will ‘manually operate’ the temporary signals (especially at school peak and any other busy times) to ensure the best possible traffic flow through the works.
Please note that there will be a temporary enforceable reduced speed limit of 30mph in place from Proffits Lane (near to the school) up to Dig Lane, Frodsham for the duration of the works.
WORKS UPDATE: For week beginning 10 January and for the next two weeks ahead:
Works will continue under a double phase set up – both sections working under temporary traffic signals to construct the improvements on the south-east side of the road.
Works location 1: currently in place set up opposite side from the school up to Woodhouses Lane, and
Works location 2: set up located near to the existing layby area up to Tarvin Road.
The traffic signals will remain in place at all times. However, just to confirm, our roadworks do come with the contingency that all works must be able to be removed in a speedy manner if an incident should occur on the M56, due to this being the key emergency diversion route. We have been in contact with the Highways Police and they have our contact details.
Unfortunately, as with all construction works some disruption is inevitable. We will always work with local residents, businesses and especially schools to try to reduce any such impact wherever possible. If you have any queries regarding the scheme please do not hesitate to contact us on 0300 123 036.
Lead officer:
Sian Williams – Principal Engineer/Area Engineer for Contract Delivery
Cheshire West and Chester Council