Funding boost for region's roads

It is hoped the new Thornton to Switch Island link road will reduce congestion

Plans to build a new Merseyside bypass and repair a key route into Liverpool from the Wirral have been given the green light by the government.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton announced £91.8m funding for the schemes on a visit to the North West.

The cash means more than £76m will be spent on Bidston Moss Viaduct, which connects the M53 and Kingsway Tunnel.

A further £15.6m will be spent on building a new Thornton to Switch Island link road.

'Safer journeys'

Miss Winterton said the money would be spent on strengthening the Bidston Moss viaduct, allowing the current weight restriction to be lifted and improving traffic flow.

She said the new bypass would bring "safer and more reliable journeys for all road users in Sefton while providing much needed relief to residents in Thornton and Netherton."

It would reduce congestion, noise and pollution in the areas, she added.

The Thornton to Switch Island Link will take thousands of vehicles a day away from narrow residential streets between Switch Island, where the M57, M58, A59 and A5036 meet, and the A565 to Southport and Crosby.

It is expected to be completed by 2012.