WORK is underway to strengthen the ground beside the newly constructed Ditton junction flyover.

Mersey Gateway bridge builders Merseylink have denied that the structure is sinking and say measures being taken to harden the ground are part of their planned road scheme.

A Merseylink spokesman said: “There is no secret that many of our structures are having to be built on historically contaminated land.

“The way that we remediate this is by means of deep soil mixing and where necessary the use of continuous flight auger secant piling.

“This is the case on the embankment to the north of the Ditton junction flyover. The structure is not sinking.

“However, the ground adjacent to it is softer than we need it to be, hence the piling which is taking place, which was always in the programme of works.”