A £3 million project providing a new link between Earlestown town centre and a new industrial estate was described as a "bridge of opportunity" by Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Pat Jackson, when she performed the official opening.

The new bridge, spanning the main Liverpool-Manchester rail line at Earle Street, was the centrepiece of St Helens Council's Capital Challenge bid for a £10 million package of projects for the area three years ago.

Councillor Jackson unveiled a plaque naming it Huskisson Bridge after the Liverpool businessman and MP who died following a railway accident nearby.The bridge provides a link to the Sankey Valley industrial estate which has itself been created from a large area of railway sidings and the former locomotive works.

It will replace the existing Junction Lane bridge which was badly located with poor access for vehicles. Strengthening of that bridge to new European standards would have been more costly.

Other funding for the project, and associated improvements, has come from the Newton 21 SRB Partnership and the European Regional Development Fund. It was built by Dew Construction.

The scheme is linked to other Capital Challenge projects which will extend pedestrianisation in Earlestown town centre, upgrade car parks, improve bus and pedestrian facilities and rationalise freight movements.

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