A NEW cycling ‘superhighway’ could be created between Warrington and Runcorn.

Halton Borough Council has given the green light for the next phase of its East Runcorn Connectivity Corridor.

This project includes the widening of the Daresbury Express from Pitts Heath Lane to Innovation Way, major maintenance of the A56 between Keckwick Lane and junction 11 of the M56 and the introduction of a direct cycle superhighway connection Runcorn and Warrington.

The latter scheme would be implemented between Pitts Heath Lane and the existing Chester Road cycle corridor.

Meanwhile, a new road could connect junction 11 of the M56 to the A533.

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A major 10-year transport plan in the neighbouring borough, the ERCC is part of a wider Liverpool City Region Transport Pipeline – which planners hope will be the catalyst for new jobs and housing developments around Sci-Tech Daresbury, Sandymoor and Manor Park.

At a meeting of HBC’s executive board, members agreed to approve the plans, as well as appoint consultants Mott MacDonald to carry out the first phase of the work.

The council is seeking pre-development grant funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority of £1.9million for the first phase, with a total of £7million being sought over the next four years for preliminary work and to develop a business case for Government.

Deputy leader Cllr Dave Thompson told the meeting: “Let there be no doubt about this, this is making Runcorn a key hub on the M56 between North Wales and Manchester.

“I read a report recently from the Department for Transport in terms of the links between areas like this and economic development, and I think it’s very, very clear that when you create the infrastructure you support wider regeneration.

“Not just in terms of road use benefits and improved productivity, but improved opportunity for investment and employment.

“I think this is a very significant piece of work for wider regeneration to come.”