WORK is set to begin on a safe, segregated pedestrian and cycleway between Helsby High School and Frodsham in the new year.

Cheshire West and Chester Council developed the scheme, which will provide a new cycle facility between the school and Howey Lane.

The scheme, scheduled to start on January 4, will upgrade the current marked cycleway into a safer segregated route, separated from traffic by a kerbed area.

The scheme will also provide a widened pavement between the caravan park and Helsby High School and a new ‘toucan’ push button crossing facility which caters for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Councillor Karen Shore, the council’s cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said: “I am really pleased that the recently adopted local cycling and walking Infrastructure plan is bearing fruit and we are now seeing real infrastructure delivery on the ground to benefit residents and school children in the area.

“This compliments the recent investment across the borough on Sutton Way Boulevard, the A5117 and the Chester to Ellesmere Port canal towpath scheme, delivered through local growth funding provided by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.”

Following consultation in February 2021 and positive feedback, the Department for Transport approved funding to implement this scheme under tranche two of their Active Travel Fund.

Construction works on the scheme is due to start in early January 2022 and will be ongoing until Easter. Construction works are to be carried out by the Council’s Highways contractor Ringway.