WORK on the Parkside link road is progressing at an ‘incredible speed’, says the St Helens Council leader.

During the full council meeting on Wednesday, Cllr David Baines, Labour, highlighted that work has continued on delivering his group’s manifesto commitments and supporting the borough’s priorities over recent months.

He said the Parkside link road and Glass Futures are progressing at an ‘incredible speed’.

Cllr Baines also stated the council has secured almost £1 million to continue rough sleeping prevention work.

He thanked the Labour group, cabinet members, council staff and partners.

Cllr Baines added: “But there’s really only one issue dominating everyone’s thoughts right now – and that’s the cost-of-living emergency and the fair funding for essential services.

“This is an issue that affects more and more households, more and more businesses and more and more organisations which exist to support people.”

As reported at the end of September, the construction of the Parkside link road is expected to be completed by the end of 2023 – with no delays expected.

But the council said it will only be fully opened to through traffic in summer the following year.

Work on the new link road, which has been tipped to unlock the ‘full economic potential’ of the huge Parkside development in Newton-le-Willows, commenced earlier this year.

The link road will comprise a new direct access from junction 22 of the M6 motorway into the former Parkside Colliery site.