Proposed bypass scheme ‘is still alive’

Costs to deliver the project have increased significantly, with question marks over how they will be met.

The route is planned to connect the A56 Chester Road with the A57 Sankey Way in Great Sankey. It had been estimated to cost around £212.7 million.

The Government has previously confirmed, in principle, it would put £142.5 million towards the controversial scheme, with the council planning to contribute £70.2 million.

In October, the council said it remains ‘fully committed’ to delivering the scheme amid an estimated increase of more than £56 million.

This week, council chief executive Steven Broomhead said: “The construction costs have gone up quite considerably since the initial scheme was introduced.

“And because of that we been asking the Government to sit down with us and ask whether or not they would be prepared to put more in, rather than have to find it ourselves.

“The scheme is still alive.”

Mr Broomhead also said people have to recognised that it is now a ‘very different financial environment’, and that the scheme could depend on the ‘financial envelope’ and if the Government is prepared to put more funding into the scheme.

Meanwhile, Cllr Bob Barr, leader of the town’s Liberal Democrats, says the Western Link is Warrington’s ‘most expensive and most controversial’ infrastructure project which has ‘divided opinions’ in the town.

He added: “Opponents are a coalition of affected householders, traffic campaigners, those wanting to resist economic growth in Warrington and green belt activists. All unite on arguments that the business case is weak and the effect on the town may not be as positive as suggested.

“The Government and Warrington argue that it is an essential piece of infrastructure to open up the Mersey riverside for housing, reduce town centre congestion, and protect green belt that would otherwise have to be built on.

“Experts have given the scheme the green light, though it is now at risk because of rising costs.”