DETAILS of all the road closures you need to know ahead of the return of Warrington Walking Day for 2023 have been confirmed.

Schools, churches, community organisations and faith groups will come together on Friday, June 30, for the annual event.

Walking Day is one of the most popular, vibrant and exciting days in Warrington’s calendar and is a tradition since the event first started in 1834.

It started when the church set it up as a riposte to the debauchery of the Newton races.

Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Jean Flaherty, said: “It is always such a delight attending Walking Day, and I know it is a highlight in so many people’s calendars as well.

“This year is also a special celebration as it has been 150 years since the first Walking Day at the Town Hall.

“In 1873, Walking Day was chosen as the official opening of our Town Hall, and this was the first year the procession passed there instead of through the Old Market Place near Golden Square.

“I am looking forward to attending and marking this special day, which will be my second Warrington Walking Day as m.

“I also look forward to seeing the town centre come alive with activity in what is an iconic and delightful day for our town.”

To allow the event to proceed safely, a number of roads in the town centre will be closed to vehicles throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

Warrington Guardian:

The inner town centre will be closed to traffic from 7.30am until around 1pm, with vehicle access severely restricted during these times and phased road closures strictly enforced.

If you live in the town centre and are expecting a delivery, you may wish to re-schedule as access will not be granted at this time.

Multi-storey car parks at Time Square and Golden Square will be accessible throughout the morning, though they may be busier than usual due to the event and other areas being closed.

A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said: “We apologise for any inconvenience these closures may cause – they are in place for the safety of walkers and all road users.”

Here are all the confirmed road closures:

Phase 1 – between 7.30am and 1pm

  • Closure of Sankey Street between Crosfield Street and Legh Street
  • Closure of Winmarleigh Street between Sankey Street and Museum Street

Phase 2 – between 8am and 1pm

  • Closure of remaining streets within the town centre, apart from those covered under Phase 3
  • Access to Time Square multi-storey car park will be maintained

Phase 3 – between 9am and 1pm

  • Closure of Dial Street, Buttermarket Street, Academy Street, James Street, Naylor Street and Orford Street
  • Closure of Bank Street between Academy Way and Moulders Lane
  • Closure of Church Street between Manchester Road and Farrell Street
  • Closure of Crosfield Street between Midland Way and Sankey Street

In addition to this, there are four procession routes into the town centre.

Phased road closures will be applied to allow for the safe passage of schools, churches, community organisations and faith groups into and out of the town centre, before and after the main walk.

Route 1 – between 9am and 10am

  • Closure of the outbound section of Knutsford Road from Grange Avenue, Latchford to Bridge Foot, and across Bridge Foot into Bridge Street
  • Closure of New Road between Lord Street and York Street
  • Closure of York Street between New Road and Knutsford Road

Route 2 – between 9.25am and 10am

  • Closure of Church Street between Farrell Street and Mersey Street

Route 3 – between 9.30am and 1pm

  • Closure of Rhodes Street, Buckley Street, Legh Street, Edgworth Street, Bewsey Street, Orford Lane, Pinners Brow, Tanners Lane, Midland Way, Legh Street and Bath Street

Route 4 – between 10am and 1pm

  • Closure of Liverpool Road between Milner Street and Crosfield Street
  • Closure of Milner Street