Thornton bypass - the £20m link road opens August 19th

The new Thornton Link Road will not open as planned this week. It will now open to motorists on the evening of Wednesday 19 August. The newly completed 2.8 mile road will be known as the A5758 Broom’s Cross Road and is named after Broom’s Cross, the site of a medieval wayside cross near Thornton.

The new road is expected to reduce peak hour journey times by up to seven minutes between Thornton and Switch Island. It will also take high volumes of ‘through traffic’ out of the communities of Netherton and Thornton.

Sefton Council, main contractor Balfour Beatty and their sub-contractors have made every effort to complete the works to the highest possible standard.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “I am very pleased that this much needed road is about to open. The need for a bypass has been clear for many years and I am sure that the Broom’s Cross Road will be welcomed both by motorist and by local residents.

“I know that local residents have had to put up with a fair amount of disruption during the construction of the road and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their patience.”

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said: “As can often be the case with major projects like this, we have had to face some unexpected challenges along the way, but I am sure that everyone will now benefit from the opening of the Broom’s Cross Road. Not only will it improve traffic flow in the surrounding area, it will also reduce congestion and traffic noise for residents in local communities.”

Peter Commins, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s North West Delivery Unit, said: “Balfour Beatty are delighted to have been involved in the design and construction of the new Broom’s Cross Road, which will bring genuine benefits to the communities of Netherton, Thornton and Sefton.

“Through a whole team effort, construction of the project has provided jobs for local people, promoted local economic growth and offered opportunities for nearby schools, community groups and charities. It will leave a lasting legacy which everyone can be proud of.”