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St Helens Borough Council - Southern Gateway Highways Scheme

Having been awarded Transforming Cities Fund support from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, St Helens Borough Council (SHBC) wanted to introduce a network of connected cycling and walking routes. They reached out to our transport planning and civil engineering teams to help.

Understanding how people move around in urban environments is key to SHBC¡¯s vision to create more accessible, attractive, and environmentally-friendly business and residential communities. This involved looking closely at public transportat links within the Liverpool City Region and sustainable methods of commuting, which have an effect on employment and housing opportunities.

We helped draw up concept designs for a network of cycle routes equating to almost 7 miles (11 kilometres) of cycleways and a Cycle Optimised Protected Signals (CYCLOPS) junction, which gives priority to cyclists and pedestrians. These will provide better connectivity to Lea Green rail station from surrounding residential areas across the region and were designed in line with objectives set by the Liverpool City Region Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Working alongside quantity surveying and project management specialist Pick Everard, our team reviewed initial plans to connect the scheme into new cycle routes along the A570 Linkway. We recommended adjustments that significantly enhance the overall scheme and encourage people to get on their bike. These included moving the proposed cycle routes away from busy roads in favour of safer and more desirable routes, for example through parks, as well as introducing new crossings that prioritise cyclists and pedestrians along with new signage and K-barriers.

The Southern Gateway Highways Scheme is on course to enable residents to be healthier and more sustainable. A by-product of the scheme is that it will serve as a critical piece of infrastructure linking existing and future residential areas, businesses, and communities to each other and Lea Green rail station.