City fills funding gap in vital link road scheme; European cash boosts plan to ease bottleneck.

Byline: LAURA SHARPE

THE final piece of funding for Liverpool's Hall Lane Gateway Project has been secured thanks to pounds 1.5m European funding.

The Northwest European Regional (ERDF) programme is providing the money as the final piece of the jigsaw in the pounds 18m scheme.

It's hoped the scheme will create better links between Liverpool city centre and the M62, boosting the local economy by improving links to Manchester and Cheshire.

Preparation work started on Hall Lane and Edge Lane back in October, and it's hoped the scheme will ease bottlenecks and congestion around Liverpool Royal Hospital.

Cllr Phil Davies, ERDF Programme Monitoring Committee member representing The Mersey Partnership, said: "I am pleased to welcome European funding for this important scheme to improve one of the main routes into Liverpool city centre.

"This project will not only significantly improve travelling conditions for road users entering and leaving the city via the M62, but it will also help to open up previously inaccessible development land, supporting the growth of the local economy."

The scheme, which is being led by Liverpool City Council, was approved by transport ministers back in August.

It involves a 1.46km road upgrade, the creation of new bus lanes, cycleways, improved pedestrian walkways and the planting of 300 semi-mature trees along the route.

Cllr Peter Millea, Liverpool City Council executive member for assets and development, said: "The Hall Lane scheme is a vital step in the regeneration of the city centre. It will remove one of the worst bottlenecks in the region.

"And it will produce a much better environment for the neighbourhood which will be welcomed by local residents who have suffered from the congestion in this area for too long."

The plan is to remove traffic from the residential area around Hall Lane and Towerlands Street.

A new junction will be installed at West Derby Street/Crown Street diverting traffic north along a new road towards Low Hill and onto Islington, or south along Grove Street.

The first phase has already seen the acquisition of buildings, demolition of some buildings and work on utilities.

It's hoped congestion will be reduced by 11% by 2011 when the scheme is due to be completed.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Development Agency, said: "The Edge Lane route is one of the busiest in the city and during peak periods there is extensive congestion at a number of locations.

"As a key gateway into the city, it is vital that the Edge Lane entrance creates the right first impression, as well as providing the right environment for local residents, and these improvements will make a real difference."

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Steven Broomhead Time for change: a rush-hour traffic jam, at Hall Lane, in Islington