New roads installed to reduce traffic between Maghull and Liverpool could close for more than a year – having only just opened.
Despite being ready since April, the £6 million project was hit with major delays due to Covid-19.
The scheme has provided a northbound off-slip and a southbound on-slip to the M58, which should improve journey times along the route, as well as some nearby residential roads.
Documents on Sefton Council ’s website say the roads could now close for up to eighteen months from October 2, for necessary maintenance or emergency works.
The report goes on to say: “Due to competing demands and limited staff resources within Highways England, it is likely to be some time before the new slip roads can be formally incorporated into the M58 motorway Traffic Regulation Order.
“There may be a requirement to temporarily close the slip roads due to unforeseen or planned works including incident management, emergency works and maintenance works following their opening to traffic.”
The new slip roads opened last month, following a plea to Government from Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson.
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Mr Esterson said it was vital that these works were completed before the commencement of any major house building in Melling and Maghull.
Previously, a council spokesman said the handover process has involved “a number of stages” and that it was halted because of the coronavirus lockdown.
Highways England echoed this, saying “the safety of drivers is its top priority”.
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