Work complete on £5m Birchwood Pinchpoint project

Work is now complete on a multi-million pound road improvement scheme in Cheshire.

Warrington Borough Council has announced the official completion of the £5m Birchwood Pinchpoint project, delivered in partnership with the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, Birchwood Park and construction firm Balfour Beatty.

The project has slashed peak congestion levels, improved journey times for those travelling on the A574 corridor and boosted safety for users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

Further, the works have reduced bus journey times to and from Birchwood.

Cllr Hans Mundry, Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for highways, transportation and public realm, said: “The Birchwood Pinchpoint project is a very good example of how key improvements to the transport network can make a big difference.

“For a relatively small amount of money – just £5m – we have eradicated peak hour queuing on both the Dog Bone and Moss Gate junctions on Birchwood Way, created a brand new bus-only link between north and south Warrington and improved travel safety for all users of the junctions.”

He added: “And it doesn’t end there, our transport planners are continuously working on ways of improving the transport network for the benefit of all.”

Birchwood Park director Jonathan Walsh said occupiers and visitors are already offering “excellent feedback” over the Birchwood Pinchpoint improvements.

He commented: “We’re appreciative of Warrington Borough Council’s efforts with this project, as they supported our initial requests and have since cooperated with us throughout each stage of the road works.

“An integral part of Birchwood Park’s appeal is its connectivity and its convenience for the staff that work here.”

Jonathan continued: “By working with us to secure funding and develop this key junction, the council has made a significant difference to the businesses based here.”

The Pinchpoint project was joint funded by Warrington Borough Council, the Cheshire and Warrington LEP and Birchwood Park, with construction work carried out by Balfour Beatty.

Paul Weaver, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s West Delivery Unit, said: “The A574 Birchwood Pinchpoint Project has been particularly successful. Through close collaboration with Warrington council, Mott MacDonald and a local supply chain, the project was delivered on budget and on programme.

“The Pinchpoint Project is particularly important to us as it is our first contract under the Scape National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Framework, with 86 per cent of the work delivered by local SME’s and enabling Warrington council to meet some very challenging timescales.”

Multidisciplinary consultancy Mott MacDonald provided designs for the improvements.

Cheshire and Warrington LEP chief exec Philip Cox commented: “The LEP recognised the significant economic impact that this scheme could generate in supporting the growth potential of Birchwood Park and its surrounding areas, which is why we invested £2.14m through the Local Growth Deal to help bring this project to fruition.”

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