BIRCHWOOD Way is set to close on the westbound carriageway for five months.

The closure, between Crab Lane and Blackbrook Avenue, will come into force on August 1 until mid-December as part of the Warrington east phase two project.

The scheme is designed to improve overall traffic flow along the Birchwood Way by reducing congestion, improving road safety and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians.

There will be a diversion in place along Crab Lane, Enfield Park Road and Blackbrook Avenue.

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The construction programme, which is funded by the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Deal and the council's capital investment programme, will start in July and will continue until December 2019.

Final approval for the project was given at the executive board committee in April where Balfour Beatty was appointed as the principal contractor.

The latest plans follow the completion of the Birchwood pinchpoint project which involved improvements to Oakwood Gate roundabout, Moss Gate roundabouts and a new bus only link between Ordnance Avenue and Faraday Street.

Funding has also been obtained for phase three of the project following a successful bid to the Government's National Productivity Investment Fund to expand Birchwood Way to two lanes in each direction between Moss Gate and junction 11 of the M62.

Residents can find out more about the plans at a public exhibition tomorrow, Saturday, from 10 am to 3pm outside Asda at Birchwood Shopping Centre and on Tuesday from 12pm to 2pm at The Centre, Birchwood Park.

Many residents have taken to social media to vent their frustrations over the plans. 

One reader said: "Dreading the school run."

Another added: "What an absolute joke. Well done Warrington council."