In February 2022 the government Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities agreed £22.1m funding for the seven projects of the Warrington town deal programme.
One of the seven projects is the sustainable travel programme, which includes a scheme to upgrade part of the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) in west Latchford, between Wilderspool Causeway and Greenall's Avenue behind Morrisons supermarket.
The existing route between Wilderspool Causeway and Greenall's Avenue has narrowed over the years by trees and bushes and has a poor surface. In winter and after heavy rain the path is an unpleasant experience for most users, especially for wheelchair users and mobility scooters . There are also some steeper sections and pinch points which also make it difficult to use.
The proposed scheme will provide a wider path (up to 3.5 metres where space permits) with a surface such as tarmac which will be more weather resistant and harder wearing. It will be very similar in design to the recently completed section between Knutsford Road and Wilderspool Causeway.
Knutsford upgrade
This will benefit people walking, cycling, using mobility scooters and wheelchairs. It will also help people travel sustainably, healthily and safely.
The access to/from Wilderspool Causeway will also be upgraded to improve the gateway effect onto the TPT at this location. This would also serve to improve the pedestrian/cycle access towards the Morrisons superstore.
The works associated with the scheme is unlikely to impact on residents who back onto the path. Most of the improvements will be along the line of the existing path. We have had permission from Peel Ports Ltd to carry out the works as the path is on their land.
Currently there are a number of trees along the route, the vast majority of which we will retain due to their importance to the TPT environment. However to facilitate the scheme and to prevent future root damage and leaf drop onto the new path, we will need to remove a small number of trees. A Tree survey has been carried out which confirms the numbers, species, age and condition of the tree stock.
The scheme is scheduled to start on site in January 2023 and complete by April 2023.
Our aim is to upgrade the path prior to the closure of the Stockton Heath swing bridge in April 2023 so that it can be used as one of the diversion routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
The public consultation ended on 1 August. Many thanks to everyone who responded and who attended the drop in event in July.
We received 98 responses to the online survey and as shown in the graph below there was overwhelming support for the proposals. Over 86% of respondents said that they supported the proposals with only 9% expressing opposition. We also received unanimous support at the drop in event and the majority of emails we received have expressed support to the proposals.
We have also received many useful comments and suggestions and these will be used to inform the design process.
Following the clearance of the overgrown vegetation we now have a better picture of the underlying topography and we are clearer on the final alignment of the proposed path.
We are looking at providing a tarmac substitute for the path surface which would be more in keeping with the local environment and provide better protection for any mature trees.
The design is being finalised and we will be procuring a contractor later this Autumn. The aim is to start works before or just after Christmas pending contractor availability.
Any further notifications will be provided on this webpage, using site notices and via the council social media outlets.
All enquiries on the scheme should be send to activetravel@Warrington.gov.uk
