David Parr of Halton Council puts pen to paper on memorandum of understanding with Highways Agency

May 28 2009 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

BOSSES at Halton Council have put pen to paper on a new road agreement with the Highways Agency.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the authority and the agency outlines the council’s commitment to helping to maintain an effective strategic road network.

Mersey Gateway project chief Steve Nicholson cited the importance of the agreement when he appeared before the House of Commons Select Committee in Westminster recently.

A number of key points have been agreed as part of the partnership, which include ensuring that the Mersey Gateway is included as part of the strategy for signposting routes to major destinations through the regional road network.

And also that it is included in real-time traffic information as a potential alternative route, should there be an accident on the network. Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway project director, said: “Halton’s geographic position means that it plays a major role in the regional road network, especially at times when stress is being placed upon other areas of the network through accidents or breakdowns.

“Our approach to the implementation of the Mersey Gateway Project has always been that the problems it solves will benefit the whole of the North West.

“This agreement highlights the importance of partnership-working between the Highways Agency and local highway and planning authorities.”