HEAVY traffic build up surrounding primary schools at peak times due to the council’s CYCLOPS junction works at Lea Green is causing concern for residents.

As part of its commitment to active travel and achieving net zero by 2040, St Helens Borough Council is installing a CYCLOPS (Cycle Optimised Protected Signals) junction in Lea Green, the first of its kind in Merseyside replacing the roundabout by the Bull and Dog pub.

The CYCLOPS - which prioritises the safety of pedestrians and cyclists - forms an integral part of the £15m St Helens Southern Gateway scheme, a partnership between the local authority, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Northern Rail to help make sustainable travel an easier choice for commuters who use Lea Green Railway Station.

CYCLOPS junctions segregate cyclists from motorists, reducing the possibility of collisions or conflict – while making pedestrian crossing times quicker. During the works there will be extensive engagement with local schools including education and awareness raising sessions on construction, health and safety, and the variety of careers on offer in the construction sector.

Work got underway at the end of 2022 for the expansive project, which is close to the nearby Lea Green train station development, causing ongoing road closures and partial closures as well as traffic diversions through Sutton for motorists while work is underway.

Diversions now direct commuters down Robins Lane to either New Street to Mill Lane or Marina Avenue and Sandringham Drive to Eaves Lane, affecting both Eaves Lane Primary School and Sherdley Primary School.

Diversions also guide some commuters down Mill Lane and onto Leach Lane to avoid the former roundabout all together.

Readers have called in reporting instances of heavy traffic build up, particularly at school pick up and drop off time.

Addressing concerns, a council spokesperson said: "The CYCLOPS junction is a very ambitious yet challenging project to deliver due to its location and closeness to schools, station, residents, and businesses.

“Our priority in construction is safety for all. That requires our understanding of users and workers and how they will interact with the project.

"We also want to stay focussed on the pace at which the project is delivered and maintain momentum to deliver the works quickly to reduce longer term impact on users and in a cost-effective way.

"We have engaged with ward members and residents and this included a “meet the project team" session. During these engagement events, we indicated this project would at times be disruptive and would have direct impact on the local network and peoples' journey times. The complexity of the project as a junction adjacent to a roundabout is a challenging combination.

"We can continue to monitor the traffic flows and build up of queuing traffic. Our team will also look at the benefit of more advanced warning signage on the approach to the site. We are currently encouraging all traffic “passing through” to look to use the link road where possible. Most road users are now aware of the works and look to avoid peak times and follow the diversion routes signed.

"The aim for this project is to create safe walking and cycling routes in a prime location linked to the schools and station. This will encourage students and commuters to use alternative forms of transport instead of their cars. We plan several training and information events in the coming months to show people how a CYCLOPS junction operates. Once completed this will be the first CYCLOPS junction in the city region."