Vol 26 l Issue 28
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L AT T E • L A U R I E
10 July 2019
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Drivers left in standing traffic for more than two hours after sinkhole opens up at major road junction close to town Report by Danielle Thompson
A COLLAPSED sewer on a main road leading onto Formby bypass has caused days of traffic chaos with drivers delayed for up to two and a half hours getting into and out of the town A huge sinkhole was created on Liverpool Road near to the junction with Woodvale Road in Ainsdale on Thursday, July 4. It led to part of the road being closed with diversions in place since, via the Coastal Road, Shore Road and Kenilworth Road. The sinkhole was caused by defective sewer pipes and United Utilities are currently working to repair the damaged pipes. Motorists are being encouraged to use alternative routes while the repairs take place and the Champion has been contacted by drivers saying were stuck in traffic for up to two hours outside Formby. Some have also complained about the traffic management Part of the road has collapsed near to the junction of the A565 causing gridiock on the bypass, inset. claiming that the lights system the outside lane - clearly marked as closing shortly - vale Road, Ainsdale. is making the problem worse. “United Utilities are now working to rectify this as Steve Fazakerley said: “I was amazed to see that traffic continued along, not moving over until the very when the lights were allowing traffic from the coast last minute, thus making the wait for those in the quickly as possible and as soon as the works are complete we will inform people through all our road out to join the bypass, the filter left green light nearside lane doubly long. “There was a difference on Sunday, July 7, though, communication channels. was not working. “To assist with traffic flow and congestion at the because a police vehicle kept the outer lane from mov“This caused considerable traffic hold-up. “The traffic would move much quicker if the filter ing forward and only moving at the pace of the Coastal Road junction, our traffic signal contractor has provided manual control of the signals at peak times. green light was working. This is poor traffic manage- nearside lane. “Temporary changes to the signals have also been “But even with that help, my journey from Formby ment.” made to assist. Diversions remain in place via Coastal Another driver said she had twice encountered long took almost 1.5 hours.” A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Following Road, Shore Road and Kenilworth Road. tailbacks on the bypass, due to the closure of the “Where possible we would encourage motorists to extensive investigations, two defective water sewer road. She said: “The first time I moved to the nearside lane, pipes were found to be causing a carriageway collapse find alternative routes and we apologise for any inconas instructed and sat there for over an hour while in at the junction of the A565 Liverpool Road and Wood- venience caused.”
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