Sefton Council and Highways England have announced the new slip roads on the M58 at Junction 1 opened to traffic on Friday (21 August).

The construction of the ‘missing’ slip roads will provide a northbound off slip and a southbound on-slip. The new junction will also reduce traffic on the A59 and some residential roads, as well as improving journey times between Maghull and North Liverpool.

As part of the works, a section of cycle track has been completed which will extend into Kirkby helping to improve Active Travel throughout the borough.

Funded jointly by Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the delivery of the M58 Junction 1 slip roads was one of the council’s key commitments set out in the Sefton Local Plan.

Sefton Council has led on the development and delivery of the scheme in conjunction with Highways England and contractor John Sisk and Sons.

Cllr John Fairclough, Cabinet Member for Locality Services said: “I would like to thank motorists for their continued patience and cooperation while these works have been undertaken.

“We understand the delivering of an infrastructure project of this size and complexity inevitably creates disruption.

“The benefits of the new junction will reduce travel time, making it much easier for people in the local area to access the motorway network, while reducing traffic and air pollution on congested roads.

“The new junctions will also help facilitate potential future development in the Maghull area.”

Rob Heywood, Route Manager for Highways England said: “We’ve worked closely with Sefton Council to develop the new slip roads and are pleased to hear they have opened today. Adding two new slip roads to this junction will help ease traffic congestion in the local area and allow for new homes and jobs to be created.”