THE consultation process for a £19.3 million crossing tipped to end the town's traffic nightmare will begin next Monday.

Potential plans for the council's Centre Park link scheme are being made public throughout December in a series of open events revealing draft documents, in a move designed to get residents to put their views forward over the project.

The construction over the River Mersey, which could be completed by 2018, would see the creation of a link from Wilson Patten Street to Chester Road.

Council chiefs believe the project will dramatically reduce southbound traffic and subsequently cut the volume of motorists clogging up Bridge Foot.

The new bridge will be open to all traffic – north and southbound – however, the top section of Slutchers Lane will be southbound only, between Wilson Patten Street and the existing 'bus only' link to Centre Park.

Proposals are complemented by alterations to town centre traffic routing to promote the use of the bridge.

Information will be on display at a number of upcoming events, beginning on Monday, December 7.

A three-day exhibition bus roadshow at numerous stops across Warrington, including the Cockhedge Centre, Stockton Heath and Centre Park will be taking place.

All members of the public are welcome to stop by and have their say on the plans.

Drop-in events will also take place at St Werburgh's Community Hub on December 10 from 2pm to 7.30pm, in Golden Square Shopping Centre all day on December 11 and December 12 to allow residents to learn more about the scheme.

The scheme is part of the council's wider commitment to relieve traffic congestion, transform the town's transport infrastructure and encourage continued growth and investment.

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive member for highways, transportation and public realm, said: "Centre Park link provides us with a great opportunity to start to resolve long-standing traffic issues in the south of Warrington and promote the future growth of our considerable but underutilised waterfront area.

"It is vital the people of Warrington come and share their views with us on these latest proposals, as this will enable us to help mitigate any issues that may arise and fully maximise the benefits of this fantastic project to the community."

The consultation bus timetable can be seen at centreparklink.co.uk.