TRANSPORT bosses still intend to explore the possibility of building a new bypass over Bridge Foot to tackle congestion.

The proposed scheme was revealed in 2019, with land safeguarded to protect the potential route.

And it has been confirmed that the project remains firmly on the table.

A council spokesman said: “It is still our intention to explore the possibility of building a new bypass to tackle town centre congestion.

“Land remains safeguarded to protect the route named the Bridge Foot bypass, which would provide a new road between Brian Bevan Island and Wilson Patten Street.”

The Centre Park link road, which fully opened to traffic in March, gives motorists the option of skipping Bridge Foot.

READ > New cycling highway could be created from Warrington to Runcorn

As part of the scheme, a new bridge across the River Mersey from Chester Road, just north of Gainsborough Road, has been constructed – joining onto an extended Slutchers Lane leading from Wilson Patten Street.

The spokesman added: “The recent opening of the Centre Park link scheme is already providing significant traffic relief to surrounding roads such as Wilson Pattern Street and Chester Road – therefore, Bridge Foot bypass work will not be progressed further in the immediate future.

“At this stage there is no timescale or cost available for the scheme.

“The recently approved town centre masterplan has identified this part of the town centre for regeneration and as these proposals are worked up in more detail then this will include a review of highway access requirements including the Bridge Foot bypass.”

The local transport plan is a statutory document setting out how transport in Warrington will be maintained and improved over a period of time.

The Labour-run council’s fourth local transport plan, LTP4, was adopted in December 2019.

It sets out the authority’s vision to make the town a ‘thriving, attractive and well-connected place’.

The document states walking and cycling should be made easier, while public transport should be high quality so more people will use it.

The council says the key issues that need addressing through LTP4 are car dependency and congestion, improving the walking and cycling offer, improving air quality and reducing transport noise, addressing transport inequalities and supporting growth.

For further information about LTP4 visit warrington.gov.uk.