Plans for new M56 Junction 11a scrapped

HIGHWAYS England have scrapped plans for the M56 New Junction 11a scheme saying it will not provide “value for money.”

Government assessments suggest the scheme would not provide value for money because of improved traffic flows due to recent improvements to the roundabout at junctions 12 for the Mersey Gateway Bridge.
But Highways Enland are continuing with work to replace the A533 Expressway Bridge, with work set to start later in the year and completion in 2022.
The bridge is a vital local link that provides access across the M56 to Runcorn from Preston Brook and Northwich.

In a letter announcing the decision Tristram Bardrick Project Manager, Highways England said: “In March, the Department for Transport announced the second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) for 2020 – 2025 which confirmed the scheme would not be part of the five-year
plan and will not be progressed further.
“Our assessments suggested the scheme would not provide value for money because of improved traffic flows due to recent improvements to the roundabout at junctions 12 for the Mersey Gateway Bridge. Further investigations concluded that the benefit to cost
ration of a new junction could not be improved.
Although the scheme will not be progressing, we will continue with work to replace the A533 Expressway Bridge, with work set to start later in the year and completion in 2022.
A new Notification of Development has been submitted for the A533 Expressway Bridge replacement.
“The bridge is a vital local link that provides access across the m56 to Runcorn from Preston Brook and Northwich. It needs to be replaced to ensure this link is safe, maintained and future proofed for the many motorists who use it.”