Thornton link background
Background to the Thornton to Switch Island Link proposals
A proposal for a major new dual carriageway (the Blue
Route) was rejected after a Public Inquiry in 1996. Since 2000, the
Council has been investigating again a range of options for
alleviating traffic congestion in the area between Switch Island
and Thornton.
A series of leaflets were produced to advise local people of
progress in these investigations, and these are available in
Acrobat format. (Note that the first leaflet took the form of a
questionnaire, which is not available for download).
A detailed and comprehensive
assessment of six different options was completed, in accordance
with detailed Government guidelines for appraisal of new highway
schemes. The option that performed the best in the assessment was a
new single carriageway road link between Switch Island and the A565
Southport Road, Thornton. The Council proposed that this
option was adopted as the preferred option for the Thornton to
Switch Island Corridor. The Council could then develop the design
of the scheme, prepare a planning application and approach the
Government for the necessary funding.
In autumn 2003, a major consultation with local people and
businesses in the Netherton and Thornton areas was carried out.
More than 10,000 leaflets and questionnaires were given out and
three public exhibitions were held.
There was strong
support for a new highway link among those responding to the
survey. Although a majority also supported the proposed preferred
option, it was not as strongly supported as the principle of a new
link. Some reservations were expressed about the detailed
routing of the proposed option. The Council has undertaken
further appraisal and detailed design work to address the concerns
raised during the consultation.
Last Updated on 1/22/2010