RESIDENTS have shared their anger and fear that the closure of a major road will lead to rat-running through adjacent neighbourhoods.

Concerned locals have emailed Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury and newly-elected Daresbury, Moore and Sandymoor councillor Mike Ryan.

This is regarding shutting Daresbury Expressway from June 5 to September 10, with both political figures seeking answers from Halton Borough Council.

The closure, between Innovation Way and Pitts Heath Lane roundabout, is to create a junction for new homes as part of the northern section of Redrow’s Daresbury Garden Village, off Keckwick Lane.

Motorists will be sent on a seven-mile diversion around the A56 Chester Road to the A533 Southern Expressway, then along the A533 Central Expressway and back onto Daresbury Expressway.

But residents fear sat-navs will take the usual traffic, including HGVs, on inappropriate shorter routes subject to weight restrictions, such as the single-track Delph Lane and Runcorn Road through Moore.

One constituent wrote: “You will be aware Runcorn Road is totally unsuitable for additional volumes of traffic.

“It features a single carriageway frequently obstructed by parked vehicles, a very narrow bridge with sharp bends, narrow pavements, poor sight lines due to adverse bends and high hedges.

Keckwick Lane is also due to be closed

Keckwick Lane is also due to be closed

“Most importantly, it also features a weight restriction which is not effectively enforced.”

Others are also worried about how the closure will impact their daily commute and school runs.

Mr Amesbury and Cllr Ryan have written to Halton Borough Council chief executive Stephen Young asking what actions will be taken to mitigate the risks and why a full road closure is necessary and for almost three months.

They wrote: “We note the intention the expressway would be opened during the Creamfields festival between August 24 and 29.

“In light of this, we would ask the council to expand on the necessity of why a full road closure would need to remain in place aside from this period.”

Potentially exacerbating the traffic situation is the fact nearby Keckwick Lane will close from the same date – June 5 until March 23 next year.

A diversion would be run through Moore along Runcorn Road, Hobb Lane and the A56 Chester Road.