THE start date of a major road closure in East Runcorn has been put back until the summer holidays.

Cllr Mike Ryan, Daresbury, Moore & Sandymoor, and Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury intervened following concerns shutting Daresbury Expressway would lead to rat-running through residential neighbourhoods.

The closure, between Innovation Way and Pitts Heath Lane roundabout, will allow preparatory work for a new junction to serve a housing development off Keckwick Lane.

Now housebuilders Redrow have agreed to delay shutting the main road until June 28, after the schools have closed. The main diversion will involve the A533 Southern Expressway and Central Expressway, with sat navs updated to follow latest traffic information.

Cllr Ryan said: “The contractors have demonstrated they are prepared to listen, and I want people to understand their voice is not wasted. We won’t get everything we want. It is closing and will be disruptive, but all we can do is the best that we can do.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Mike Amesbury and Mike RyanMike Amesbury and Mike Ryan (Image: Mike Amesbury)

“I hope, with the majority of the work being in school holidays, the traffic will be lighter, but we are going to have to adapt and change for a period over the summer.”

The newly-elected councillor, who has a background in construction, accepted the junction project was ‘huge’ but welcomed a reduction in the original 12-month build period down to three months.

The closure will be lifted from August 24-29 for the Creamfields festival.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Cllr Ryan said residents still had the opportunity to raise concerns or make suggestions.

Mike Amesbury MP has also been inundated with emails from worried residents.

He said: “Both Cllr Ryan and I raised concerns with Halton Council. Conversations have taken place and an element of common-sense has prevailed. At least now, Redrow has agreed to do this during the school holidays. The work has to happen and unfortunately it’s still going to cause a headache for constituents."