TRANSPORT bosses have welcomed a £3 million funding boost for work to improve junction eight of the M62 in a move which will help deliver more than 1,400 homes and 10,000 jobs.

The scheme, which will be delivered by Warrington Borough Council, with additional funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership and developers, will improve access from the motorway to the Omega site.

Highways England has awarded the borough £3 million towards the £12 million road improvement scheme from the Government's new Growth and Housing Fund.

It is a Highways England initiative in place to support improvements to the road network, while helping to create thousands of jobs and homes in the region.

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive board member for highways, transportation and public realm, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding from Highways England for these vital junction eight improvements.

"As well as providing improvements for existing journeys, the scheme will provide much needed capacity to help support the further development in the area, such as on the Omega development site and Lingley Mere."

Transport bosses are confident the project will reduce congestion, enhance road safety and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

The project forms part of the wider west Warrington package of transport improvements and supports plans for the creation of more than 1,400 homes and 10,000 new jobs in the area.

The council's executive board are set to officially approve the £3 million funding decision at the Town Hall on Monday, December 12.

Ian Parsons, growth and economic development team leader, said: "Highways England is proud to support new homes and jobs by investing in its road network, building additional capacity to support significant development.

"It is very good news that new homes and jobs are planned in Warrington.

"The improvements we are announcing today will ensure that people who live and work in Warrington will benefit from an improved road network and smoother, safer journeys."

It is proposed that the construction phase of the project will start in January, with completion expected in late spring 2018.