Proposals announced for upgrade to Junction 23 of the M6 near Haydock
New information has been announced about a £10 million plan to deliver a major improvement to Junction 23 of the M6 near Haydock, reducing waiting times and improving safety for local businesses and residents and underpinning economic growth.
In 2017, Peel L&P working with logistics developer PLP, submitted a planning application to St Helens Council for a new manufacturing and logistics development on land at Haydock Point, beside Junction 23.
Located where the M6 meets the A580 East Lancashire Road and the A49 Lodge Lane, the junction is known locally for being busy at peak times and has been the subject of campaigns by local people concerned about safety.
Peel L&P has always envisaged that improvements to the junction would be a key part of its Haydock Point proposals and the company has been working with the Council and local partners to find the best possible solution.
As part of the Haydock Point development, the northern arm of the A49 Lodge Lane would be re-routed through the Haydock Point site to a new junction on the A580 East Lancashire Road. The development would also contribute to improvements to Junction 23 itself. In total, the proposals would deliver £10 million of privately funded investment into the highways network.
These improvements will:
- Reduce journey times by improving the flow of traffic
- Improve safety by updating signalling, signage and priority use of the junction
- Underpin economic growth by supporting key sectors, keeping lorries moving smoothly and creating new jobs and investment for decades to come.
The improvements have been designed to fit into and support the delivery of a wider package of works identified by St Helens Council, working with Highways England and Wigan Council.
Richard Knight, Director of Land and Communities at Peel L&P said: “Our proposals for new manufacturing and logistics at Haydock Point are an opportunity to deliver £10 million of private investment into vital improvements at Junction 23. We understand that equipping the junction to handle traffic more efficiently and safely is essential for the future prosperity and wellbeing of this area. The improvements will also facilitate a major economic investment in St Helens.”
Neil Dickinson, Chief Investment Officer of PLP said: “Demand for new logistics buildings in the region is extremely strong and Haydock Point is ideally located to satisfy these requirements. PLP will deliver this scheme quickly, including a vastly improved layout to Junction 23, delivering significant benefits to local people and local businesses. Haydock Point will become the best logistics employment park in the North West”
Additional information about the improvements has now been submitted to the Council. People and businesses wishing to view and comment on the additional information should contact the Council directly.
- 250 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) construction jobs
- Construction apprenticeship opportunities, for example electricians, mechanical engineers, construction management
- Construction supply chain opportunities for local companies
- £155 million construction value and worth £25 million to the economy (GVA)
Once fully built, the development is expected to deliver the following benefits:
- In the region of 2,500 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs*
- Wide range of apprenticeship opportunities focused around the logistics and manufacturing sectors
- £3.3 million Business Rates per annum, of which £2.6m would be retained in St Helens under current retention levels
- Worth £149 million each year to the economy annually (GVA)
*precise estimate of 2,286 to 2,758 FTE jobs
(Source: Economic Statement, Turley, 2020)
Commitments to local employment and skills are set out within the Haydock Point Local Employment Strategy (Turley, 2020) and will be bound through a legal agreement.
Further information can be found at online at www.haydockpoint.co.uk
