Transforming one of Merseyside’s busiest junctions to cut congestion, improve safety and deliver better journeys for thousands of road users.
Windle Island is one of Merseyside’s busiest roads and a key strategic point in the Liverpool City Region road network. For years, the junction exceeded capacity, causing significant congestion, delays for commuters, and a barrier to economic growth in the area.
To address this, St Helens Council identified that re-aligning the junction and improving signalling were key to reducing congestion and creating better journeys for road users.
Working via the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework, we delivered a series of upgrades including:
- controlled pedestrian and toucan crossings on all arms of the junction
- a segregated right turn lane northbound on the A570
- a new signalised junction and improved slip-road to the southbound A570.
These improvements have reduced congestion, cut journey times, improved safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and supported better air quality across the region.
Early contractor engagement delivers cost savings
Early engagement with St Helens Council enabled our teams to identify opportunities for better value and programme efficiencies. Through collaborative value engineering workshops and rationalised design solutions, we identified circa £3.6 million of savings at feasibility stage, without compromising junction functionality.
Through SCAPE, the Council also benefited from contract flexibility. By moving from an NEC Option C to an NEC Option A contract, the overall programme was streamlined, enabling the scheme to be completed 10 weeks ahead of schedule.
Leaving a positive legacy
Throughout the project, created meaningful benefits for the local community supporting our Building New Futures sustainability ambitions. We:
- raised funds for local charities
- collected clothing and made food bank donations
- delivered site tours for the public
- worked with schools and colleges to provide careers advice and interview guidance.
Reducing our environmental impact
Working towards our net zero carbon ambitions, we used solar-powered lighting towers to reduce our environmental impact and noise pollution. This sustainable alternative saved 15 tonnes of C02 and 6,000 litres of diesel that would have been used to power generators required for traditional lighting sources.
students engaged
spend with SMEs
safety record
Exemplar health and safety
The project team received a Considerate Constructors Scheme – Performance Beyond Compliance award in recognition of the excellent safe systems of work implemented on site, which contributed to zero lost-time incidents.