A controversial three-month road closure which will triple journey times to local shops and schools and see major bus routes diverted will start today.
Church Road, under Garston Bridge, will be shut off until mid-July while Network Rail demolish and replace the railway bridge above the road.
The road is the main route in and out of Garston , meaning drivers and pedestrians will face lengthy diversions getting around Garston and Speke .
The works were initially meant to begin in March but were pushed back amid backlash from local residents and councillors who said the closure would leave them stranded and isolated .
Speke-Garston councillor, Leon Tootle, who has been outspoken about Network Rail's handling of the situation, branded the closure as "ill-conceived and poorly planned" and said it threatened to put residents "under siege" if more support was not provided.
The frustrated councillor made the comments on Twitter following a public engagement event on Wednesday, which left many residents in the dark about exactly when the closure would begin and what was happening with local bus routes.
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In an email sent to the rail company after the event Cllr Tootle said: "I think as a minimum a shuttle service of greater capacity, greater frequency and operating on an extended timetable is essential.
"Personally, I think the lack of preparation was best encapsulated by the uncertainty from Network Rail as to what time the closure was actually taking place on Friday. Again at a community event, so close to the project being implemented I am not sure how this is possible.
"I appreciate last night was not easy for Network Rail. But I am unsure given lack of preparation, repeated errors and quite simply perception of failure to commit and deliver on previous undertakings it could have gone any differently?
"Things need to improve and very quickly."
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Following pressure from local councillors and residents, Network Rail confirmed on Thursday that that a shuttle bus service will be running from 7am until 8pm.
The buses will use existing stops on Window Lane and Vesuvian Drive and will stop in Garston village and continue on to Liverpool South Parkway station.
Each shuttle bus has a total capacity of 22 (15 seated and 7 standing) and is also accessible for wheelchair users and those with prams.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “After listening to residents’ concerns at our public engagement event on Wednesday evening, we have put back the closure of Church Street until 10am tomorrow to avoid the morning rush hour.
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"A shuttle bus for residents will run from 7am until 8pm, and we are finalising details for extended operating hours and also a second shuttle bus. We thank residents for their feedback, continued patience and understanding while we carry out our vital repairs to the railway bridge in Garston which will secure it for years to come.”
An update on the Merseytravel website says the Garston Shuttle Bus will travel from Liverpool South Parkway (Stand 4) via Woolton Road, Church Road, Speke Road, Banks Road, Windfield Road, York Street, Window Lane, Banks Road, Speke Road, Church Road, Woolton Road to Liverpool South Parkway. click here for timetable details.
Several local bus routes will also be affected by the planned closure.
Services that will be affected include routes 80, 80A, 80E, 167, 201 and 661.
More details of how these routes will change can be found on the Merseytravel website.
