THIS week in Yester Years we are taking a look back into our archives to a story from 50 years ago which has more than a few parallels to what is going on today.

The incredible picture shows a large scale demolition programme in the mid-1960s.

Demolition in the Sankey Green area of town in 1967 took place in order to make way for the new £1 million Liverpool Road bypass – now known as Sankey Way.

This picture shows demolition work on Bramhall Street to make way for the creation of the Sankey Green roundabout, now known locally as the Pink Eye island.

Work also started in 1967 on building Sankey Way to ease traffic in the area running from Green Street near to Lovely Lane to Brook Drive near to The Woodlands pub.

The construction also included the subway, which is still open near to Wellfield Street, in order for residents from Sankey Bridges to get across to the town centre.

The work and the demolition mirrors the current bid for a town centre bypass to run from Sankey Way to Walton in the south of the town, known as the Western Link.

The cost for that construction, which will be much larger and include bridges over the Mersey and railway lines, is currently estimated at more than £200 million.

It is causing a lot of controversy in the west of the town with many residents concerned at the impact on homes and parks in the Great Sankey area, especially Sankey Valley Park, as well as air quality.

As reported previously in the Warrington Guardian, the council has made a bid to Government for funding to help pay for the work with a decision expected in spring or summer next year.

Campaigners are hoping the decision is reversed and believe it will not solve the traffic problems in that area of the town.