ENVIRONMENTAL works which are set to transform St Helens town centre will start on Monday, September 29, and will bring major improvements to Ormskirk Street, Bridge Street, Brook Street and Milk Street.

The work is the first phase of a massive council project, which, thanks to Government Capital Challenge Funding, means a number of projects will be completed in just three years instead of the planned 15 it would have taken without the cash boost.

Included in the improvements will be a narrow bus lane along the centre of Ormskirk Street ensuring bus access in to the heart of the town; substantially wider pavements with new seating areas using new, attractive materials; high quality lighting and the planting of some 36 semi-mature trees.

To ensure safe working and to maintain access to properties without rear servicing, the project will be carried out in continuous phases.

From Monday, September 29, there will be no traffic access to Ormskirk Street. Bus stops will be temporarily re-sited in Cotham Street replacing those currently in Bridge Street. The taxi rank in Ormskirk Street (opposite the National Westminster Bank) will be temporarily suspended. And members of the public are advised to look out in the local press for details and times of further changes.

Others schemes scheduled for St Helens under the project include improvements to Westfield Street and Victoria Square; the re-building of railway bridges on Standish Street; major upgrading of Atlas Street and its junction with Standish Street, plus the introduction of a traffic safety scheme within the Hardshaw Street residential area.

Councillor Joe De Asha, chair of Highways and Transportation sub-committee, said: "All of the projects are full in line with national Government initiatives to reduce traffic and its inevitable pollution in our town centres while improving the pedestrian environment and that of public transport."

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