Ditton flyover disappears as busy commuter route to the bridge is diverted

The area around the Ditton flyover - demolished three weeks ago - to make way for the Mersey Gateway is already unrecognisable.

Traffic lights now direct drivers off slip roads through a roundabout – as the new crossing takes shape.

The civil engineer in charge of this huge logistical operation spoke exclusively to The World this week.

Jim Rice, Merseylink senior operations manager, has outlined more big changes to the road network in Widnes in the coming months.

“It has taken a lot of planning and communication to make everyone aware of this,” he said.

“We are relieved that it seems to have worked very well.”

Merseylink engineers and traffic planners have been meeting regularly with businesses for almost two years to prepare for the diversions.

Hauliers facing tight deadlines hailed the move a success at a review meeting on Wednesday.

Major delays drivers feared did not happen.

A designer specialising in traffic management has tweeked signals to keep traffic moving.

“Traffic will be moved around Ditton in other phases before the new bridge opens but there will always be the same number of lanes and it will be signal controlled,” said Mr Rice.”

All the demolished material is being crushed to construct embankments and foundations for new approach roads.

A new traffic light junction will replace the old Moor Lane roundabout when Ashley Way re-opens in three months.

Watkinson Way will eventually close and traffic heading for the bridge will be diverted to Hutchinson Street through a new light controlled viaduct on Catalyst Trade Park.

Three more bridges over Victoria Road, Hutchinson Street and Queensway face demolition.

“It is a massive project,” added Mr Rice, civil engineer for 35 years.

“This is by far the biggest project in engineering as far as bridges and transport is concerned in the UK at present.

“We want to do a good job and we are doing our best to keep people happy and moving.”