AN expressway route in Runcorn is closing to make way for the new Mersey Gateway.

The ‘loop' slip road that connects the eastbound Weston Link to the eastbound Southern Expressway towards Preston Brook will close permanently from Monday, April 11.

A signed diversion will be in place until this summer, taking traffic north along the Central Expressway before heading round the eastern side of Runcorn Shopping Centre, past Halton Hospital and rejoining the Southern Expressway at the Hallwood Link Road roundabout.

The ‘loop' slip road due for demolition is part of the Lodge Lane Junction which is being modified to provide an access route between the M56 Junction 12 and the Mersey Gateway.

This will remove the existing tight bends and create a free flowing approach to the new crossing.

At the same time the slip road from Weston Link to Central Expressway northbound will re-open.

When this route reopens traffic will be diverted via Halton Lea junction and back onto the Central Expressway, until further notice.

Once work in this part of the route is complete this summer the final route for drivers from Weston Link to the Southern Expressway towards Preston Brook will be to head north alongside the Central Expressway before turning at the Halton Lea junction and rejoining the Southern Expressway.

Hugh, O'Connor, general manager for Merseylink, said: "Whilst this is a major piece of highway infrastructure that we are removing to build a more effective road network for the future, this route is actually not used by very many drivers so we hope there will not be any major issues caused by the diversion.

“However, we do recognise that there will be some drivers who will be inconvenienced.

“I'd like to urge people to drive safely and allow extra time to reach their destination if this diversion does affect them."