FEARS over disruption have been calmed as work to complete 'another important piece in the jigsaw' of the £107 million town centre regeneration begins.

Today, Monday, marks the start of work on key road improvements on Academy Street, Academy Way, Buttermarket Street and Scotland Road.

Improvements will include highway and footway resurfacing, new kerbing and drainage construction.

It forms part of the £107 million Time Square scheme – a retail and leisure-led development being carried out by the council to 'revitalise the traditional retail heart' of the town centre.

The authority is asking people to be 'patient' during the operation, which will run until early April.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill has moved to calm fears over disruption.

He said: "These are exciting times in Warrington. The town centre is undergoing a remarkable transformation and these important works are part of this.

"As with any regeneration scheme of this scale, there will always be some level of disruption.

"We are working hard to keep this to a minimum and I would ask people to bear with us while these road works are carried out.

"When completed, these improvements will bring huge benefits to motorists and pedestrians alike, as well as completing another important piece in the jigsaw of the Time Square development."

Motorists are being advised there will be diversions in place for the duration of the operation and have been warned to expect delays.

Public transport users should be aware that there will be minor bus route diversions in the area.

Advanced signs are in place to advise motorists of potential disruption, while contractors have been liaising with businesses to keep them informed.

Pedestrian traffic management is also in operation on upper Bridge Street to safeguard the public, while construction of a new substation is undertaken at the rear of Burger King, off Dolmans Lane.

It will be in place for two months until work is completed.