A major road junction in South Liverpool is to undergo a huge safety upgrade – with dozens of new trees to be plated to enhance the area.
Liverpool City Council has contracted Huyton Asphalt Civils to improve the junction of Menlove Avenue and Cromptons Lane, in Allerton, following a spate of traffic accidents in recent years, one of which caused the death of a motor cyclist.
The works include new traffic signals, introducing a pedestrian crossing and a new designated right turn lane in both directions on Menlove Avenue, which became world famous for being the road on which ex-Beatle John Lennon lived with his Aunt Mimi.
The £500,000 scheme, which is part of a wider £3.7m highways safety improvement programme across the city, is expected to complete in May.
It is estimated that the works, which also includes new highway drainage, road markings, street lighting and resurfacing the existing carriageway, will require the removal of approximately 10 trees, which will begin on Monday, 13 January.
This loss will be compensated with the planting of more than 50 new trees in the area – as part of Liverpool City Council’s commitment to replant at least three trees for every one removed.
Some of these trees will be planted in the new junction layout with the remainder planted along the breadth of Menlove Avenue where circumstances allow.
Due to the nature of the works, access and egress onto the footways will be restricted and at times will need to be controlled and on occasions for health and safety reasons, the footway may need to be closed.
Councillor Sharon Connor, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for highways, said: “The Menlove Avenue and Cromptons Lane junction needs a major upgrade. Its safety track record is far from satisfactory and these works will make a huge difference to everyone using it. “The feedback from the local community has been positive and I’m delighted that the tree planting scheme will hugely offset the loss of the ones we need to remove to make these safety improvements.”