Highways England begin £1.1M Two Mills junction project

The Highways England has commenced work on a £1.1M project at Two Mills, where the A550 meets the A540.

A new 320 metre cycle path will be created through the junction, with traffic lights and toucan crossings making it easier to cross the A550.

The right turn lanes onto the A540 from the A550 will also be improved and a new high-friction road surface will be laid to reduce the risk of collisions at the junction.

The A540, which runs between Chester and Hoylake, is popular with cyclists and group rides set off from a cyclists’ café near the Two Mills junction during most weekends throughout the year.

The cycling project at the Two Mills junction is one of 200 cycling schemes taking place across England up until 2021 paid for by a £100M government fund for cycling. The schemes are designed to make it easier for cyclists to cross motorway junctions and use major A roads.

Phil Tyrrell, Project Manager at Highways England, said: “We’re committed to significantly improving safety across our road network, and the new cycle path as well as the wider and longer right turn lanes will make it much easier and safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to cross the junction.

“We will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum while the work is taking place, and look forward to seeing the new cycle path open in time for the spring.”

The new cycle path, which will be shared by cyclists and pedestrians, will run along the southbound A540. The route will cross two new islands on the A550 at the Two Mills junction before continuing along the A540.

Two crossings will also be created at either end of the cycle path for people travelling in the opposite direction. The bus stop on the A540 will be moved to the opposite side of the junction to allow space for the new cycle path.

Most of the work will be undertaken overnight between 8pm and 5am, with some work also taking place at weekends.

The scheme is due to be completed by spring 2018.

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