We are aiming to improve walking, wheeling and cycling links between Culcheth and towards Birchwood to improve access to job opportunities in Birchwood Technology Park and areas in Warrington south of the M62.

The proposed scheme will provide a shared use path suitable for walking, wheeling (wheelchairs, prams, and non-electric scooters) and cycling between New Hall Lane in Culcheth towards Birchwood connecting into Silver Lane south of the M62 Junction 11.

The A574 Warrington Road provides the main formal route across the M62 between Culcheth and Birchwood/north Warrington. The A574 is heavily trafficked, has high speeds in parts and is considered an intimidating route for all but the most confident walkers and cyclists, forming a barrier to walking, wheeling and cycling residents of Culcheth. 

Map of proposed improvements for the Culcheth area

Scheme objectives and benefits

The scheme has six key objectives:

  1. Connect North Warrington to the rest of the Borough
  2. Provide a walking, wheeled and cycling route from Culcheth Village across junction 11 of the M62 which will connect with existing walking and cycling infrastructure south of the junction
  3. Provide better surfaces for walking, wheeling and cycling routes so paths can be used all year round by cyclists and pedestrians, as well as making it k0otre accessible for people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters
  4. Provide continuous and traffic-free routes which permit safer cycling
  5. Providing a walking, wheeled and cycling route between Culcheth and Birchwood Technology Park
  6. Providing better opportunities for people to take exercise walking, wheeling and cycling, boosting levels of health

It will provide the following benefits

Inclusivity

  • Enabling people without a car to access the town centre areas of employment opportunities
  • Providing a path which is accessible for all

Health

  • Removing barriers to travel, allowing residents healthier travel choices
  • Less vehicular traffic, reducing emissions and improving public health
  • Increasing physical activity

Environmental

  • Making better use of our natural spaces to improve the environment and promote greener travel choices
  • Reducing dependency on car trips, cutting CO2 emissions and helping reduce Warrington’s carbon footprint

Safety

  • Providing a safer, more attractive and less intimidating route for pedestrians, wheelchair and pushchair users and cyclists
  • Reducing the possibility of accidents for all modes of transport crossing the M62

Economic

  • Improving access to job opportunities in Birchwood Technology Park, the Eastern reaches of Warrington and the town centre

Place

  • Providing a high quality off-highway route for pedestrians, cyclists and other wheeled modes
  • Providing high quality highway surfaces at crossing points, improving infrastructure for all modes of transport

Have your say

You can share your views on the proposed Culcheth improvements in the following ways:

  • Complete our online survey by Monday 15 December 2025.
  • Come along to one of our engagement events:
  • Tuesday 2 December 12pm-7pm, The Village Club, Culcheth
  • Saturday 6 December 10am-1pm, Culcheth Community Centre.

All comments and views received will be collated and considered by the project design team. 

Frequently asked questions

What will be implemented?

The scheme aims to improve footpaths which run through existing fields then connects with the M62 Junction 11 via the edges of other parcels of land. The current path is largely unsurfaced and is only available to pedestrians. The proposals would provide an approximately 3-metre-wide traffic-free tarmac path, making it suitable for walking, wheeling and cycling, year-round. Key features include:

  • Approximately 3-metre-wide shared use tarmac path
  • Improved surfacing on New Hall Lane
  • Appropriate clear signage along the route
  • Consideration of providing lighting along the path
  • As part of a separate scheme being delivered by the M62 Junction 11 developer, a continuation of the path will be provided with new signal-controlled crossing points across the junction linking to Silver Lane
What improvements will there be for people walking and wheeling?

An off-carriageway, shared use path will provide a safe, smooth surface away from general traffic. The path is to be approximately 3m wide, which will provide enough space for pedestrians, cyclists and people wheeling (e.g. wheelchairs, prams, non-electric scooters) users to share the space safely. The path will be resurfaced, making the path suitable for use all year round.

What improvements will there be for people cycling?

The shared use path will provide access to Birchwood Technology Park from Culcheth, on a predominantly traffic free route. 

The upgraded route allows direct access for cyclists on a route that is not currently legally possible to cycle.

The approximately 3m wide path will ensure cyclists can comfortably pass pedestrians and other cyclists along the length of the route.

Would people driving cars or vans be affected?

The scheme will not negatively impact vehicular routes. New Hall Lane will benefit from being resurfaced improving safety for drivers and other road users.

One of the aims of the scheme is provide people with high quality walking, wheeling and cycling options that will help to reduce the number of vehicular trips and tackle congestion.

Why is the Culcheth Linear Park not being extended along the former rail line?

The council is aware of aspirations for a continuation of Culcheth Linear Park along the former rail line. Although the currently available funding in not sufficient to deliver this, the current LRF scheme is being designed so it can be connected to the former rail line in the vicinity of New Hall Lane to link up with the Linear Park in the future, subject to further funding being available.

How will the scheme impact vegetation, trees and natural habitats?

Ecology surveys have been completed to identify protected species likely to be impacted by the proposals. These specialist surveys will, if required, inform the correct mitigation measures required to protect species habitats.

The design of the scheme will keep tree removal to a minimum and be as sympathetic to the environment as possible. For each tree that is removed two will be planted to replace it, either within the scheme or an alternative location.

How will this scheme be funded?

The scheme will be funded by the governments ‘Local Regeneration Fund’ (LRF), which the WBC received to help invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. Warrington received £9.4 million of funding. The Culcheth scheme forms one of three schemes benefiting from the government funding. 

How much will the scheme cost?

The scheme is estimated to be approximately £1m.

Can the money be spent on something else?

Warrington Borough Council submitted a funding application in consultation with various stakeholders. The schemes and the government funding grant should be spent on the schemes proposed in the application, including the Culcheth scheme. 

When will the scheme be completed?

The scheme is due to be fully delivered by 2028.

How long will the schemes take to be constructed?

As part of the next steps Warrington Council would seek to understand a more detailed programme for construction. At this stage it is expected that construction would take approximately 7 months. 

Will there be any impacts from construction of the scheme?

The construction of the path would likely require temporary closures of sections of the existing route. Construction would be completed in a way that ensures closures have the least possible impact on users.

Almost all of the scheme is off highway so impacts upon the existing network will be minimal. The resurfacing of New Hall Lane and pedestrian improvements at the junction of New Hall Lane / Weaver Road / Thames Road would likely require some short periods of closure whilst being resurfaced, but these periods would be managed to ensure the least impact as possible.

Prior to construction the local community and stakeholders will be engaged further, and information on plans for construction and approaches to minimise disruption will be made available.

Is the scheme linked to any housing or employment development proposals such as Parkside?

The scheme is being planned and design to link into the path and crossing improvements being provided as part of the M62 Junction J10 Motorway Service Area development. Other than this the scheme is not linked to any other housing or employment development proposals such as Parkside. The Parkside development proposals are subject to a separate statutory planning process.

17 November 2025